The Jets played their tails off and came oh-so-close to pulling off the major upset of the Kansas City Chiefs. Instead, the Jets are now 1-3 following a 23-20 loss in Week 4. As always, some players played well and others, not so much. Here’s our look at who stepped up and who stepped aside for the Jets in primetime against the Chiefs.
Stud: QB Zach Wilson
You may not totally agree due to the botched snap and that’s fine, but this was a night you have to admit Zach Wilson was actually a legitimate factor in the Jets nearly winning the game. Wilson went 28/39 for 245 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He led an incredible drive to start the second half with the team down 20-12, rallying to tie the game 20-20.
Yes, the snap was on him as he took his eyes off the ball for a split second, but a split second long enough. Still, without this version of Zach Wilson, the Jets are nowhere close to being in this game. Wilson was likely playing for his job. He may have done enough to keep it for a little while longer. A golden opportunity against a poor Broncos defense awaits Wilson in Week 5.
Stud: LB Quincy Williams
How good has Quincy Williams been this season? In all phases of the game, too. His tackling, his coverage, his sideline-to-sideline ability. He can do it all. He proved it again Sunday with a game-high 13 tackles (10 solo) along with a quarterback hit, two tackles for a loss and two passes defended (also a game-high). Week after week, Quinnen’s brother proves the Jets were right to pay both Williams brothers this offseason.
Stud: DE Bryce Huff
He may still be seeing limited snaps, but Bryce Huff sure can do a lot of damage in those limited snaps. When he was on the field, he gave the Chiefs’ offensive line and quarterback Patrick Mahomes fits all night. He even picked up a pair of quarterback hits. He may not always pop up on the stat sheet, but his presence continues to be felt week after week.
Dud: The officials
This mostly boils down to one play, but it sure was a major one. We’re of course talking about the holding penalty called on Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner that wiped out an interception for Michael Carter II. Instead, the Chiefs got a first down on what was a 3rd and 20. Yes, the Jets had given up a 3rd and 23 just a few plays prior, but that doesn’t mean the call wasn’t as bad. Robert Saleh had every right to be irate at the officials because of that call. The Chiefs wound up running down the clock and the Jets never got the ball back. A great game plagued by a very ticky-tack call at the very least.
Dud: RB Dalvin Cook
It’s only been four weeks, but it feels like we’ve seen all we need to see out of Dalvin Cook. He just hasn’t been it at all this season and maybe the Vikings knew a thing or two when they released him. Who knows?
In any event, it was another down performance for Cook. He carried the ball five times for just 16 yards. Breece Hall only had six rushes, but went for 56 yards.
Put it this way:
Hall – 9.3 yards per rush
Cook – 3.2 yards per rush
Bottom line: Give the ball to Hall more and maybe start giving some of Cook’s snaps to Michael Carter and, when he returns, Izzy Abanikanda.
