How do the J-E-T-S grade heading into the last few weeks of the NFL season?

Quarterback: (Grade: B–)

As Chad Pennington goes, so too the Jets. Gang Green has not won a game this season when Chad has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. This might be old news to Chad though, for in his last two games he has avoided falling into that trap while throwing for 549 yards and bringing home Jets wins.

Running Backs: (Grade: C)

With Curtis Martin officially done for the season (and possibly his career), it is now up to Leon Washington and Cedric Houston to carry the load. Kevan Barlow earned his paycheck against the New England Patriots in week 10, but has since seen a reduced role. As for Derrick Blaylock, well you have a better chance of seeing him on the side of a milk carton than in a Jets game.

Wide Receivers: (Grade: A–)

Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery may not consistently have 100-yard games, but they do what needs to be done. These blue-collar players are willing to go over the middle and get you seven yards when you need six, or fight off a defender for a long ball. Tim Dwight is out for the season with a foot injury, so Brad Smith, along with Justin McCareins, will have to fill his role as the No. 3 receiver.

Tight Ends: (Grade: C+)

Here’s a stat to amaze your friends: in games during which Chris Baker has had multiple catches and/or a touchdown, the Jets are 4-0. As for those of you without friends, I’m sure your parents would be interested in knowing that this is what their college tuition dollars are going toward.

Offensive Line: (Grade: A-)

Before the bye, the Jets’ O-line was giving up nearly three sacks per game. Since the bye, this unit has only allowed one sack per game. Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson are rookies playing like veterans. All they need to do now is be more consistent with their run blocking to be sensational.

Defensive Line: (Grade: C-)

Things have been looking up for this group the last couple of weeks. In the last four games, they have not given up a single rushing touchdown. Not only that, but in the same span the opposing quarterback has been sacked 11 times, which accounts for nearly half of the team’s 24 sacks for the year. Most notable performance: holding the Houston Texans to a meager 25 yards rushing in week 12.

Linebackers: (Grade: C)

As much as Jonathan Vilma has struggled with the 3-4 defense, Bryan Thomas has thrived in it. Thought by fans and previous personnel as a bust before this year, Eric Mangini has put Thomas into a Willie McGinest-type role. Now the linebacker/defensive end is producing (last game: 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble) and staying (contract extension) with the Jets.

Defensive Backs: (Grade: C+)

Kerry Rhodes is showing why he’s a great young star week in and week out. Andre Dyson has been playing solid defense and is staying relatively injury-free. David Barrett needs to take HPEY 108 — Introduction to Tackling. Justin Miller is either hit or miss on his coverages. Don’t feel bad for him though as …

Special Teams: (Grade: B+)

Justin Miller should earn himself a Pro Bowl trip if he continues to average nearly 30 yards per kickoff return. If that doesn’t convince you, the two touchdowns he scored off kickoffs came at crucial times in games. Ben Graham has been doing very well overall with his punts. Even Mike Nugent has gathered some consistency. The kicker has made all his field goals since the bye, as well as hitting a career-long 54-yarder against Houston.

Coaching: (Grade: B+)

Onside kicks? Fourth-down tries? Boring press conferences? It’s official; Eric Mangini is the anti-Herm. The youngest head coach in the NFL has kept the Jets in playoff contention deep into the season. Now who could have predicted that before the season started? P.S.: Bob Sutton, the Jets’ defensive coordinator, needs to be commended for his rejuvenation of the Jets’ defense post-bye (24 points per game given up before, 11 points per game after).