The Jets were up big, blew it then were up again when it mattered the most: at the end of the game. After holding 20-0 and 27-7 leads, the Jets let the Commanders back in the game, almost giving Washington a Christmas miracle. Instead, the Jets rallied late and Greg Zuerlein kicked a 54-yard to give New York a 30-28 win to move to 6-9 on the season.
Zuerlein is one star from this game but there were a few more. So in the Christmas spirit, we’ll highlight a few stars from Sunday to spread some holiday cheer before the Jets get right back to work to prepare for Thursday’s trip to Cleveland.
K Greg Zuerlein
Greg Zuerlein’s Pro Bowl campaign continued Sunday as he went 3/3 on field goals, including the 54-yard game-winner. He is now 33/34 for the season, on pace for a career-high in conversion rate. Zuerlein has made 97% of his field goal attempts this season. In his Pro Bowl 2017 season, Zuerlein made 95% of his attempts (38/40). Zuerlein has now made six field goals from at least 50 yards. The only season in which he had more was his rookie season of 2012, where he converted seven.
LB Quincy Williams
Quincy Williams has been one of the most-improved players in the entire league, let alone his own team. Sunday was the latest example. Williams recorded an interception, led the team with eight tackles, had two tackles for a loss and two passes defended. Williams has been all over the field all season and has given the Jets a defensive centerpiece for years to come.
Edge Jermaine Johnson
If Quincy Williams isn’t the most-improved player on the Jets this season, then it’s absolutely Jermaine Johnson. The second-year player contributed on defense and special teams Sunday with two tackles, two quarterback hit, a pass defended and a blocked punt in the first quarter that led to a Jason Brownlee touchdown. Johnson is second on the team with 6.5 sacks, behind on Bryce Huff (8). Jermaine has quickly become the leader of the edge group for Gang Green.
RB Breece Hall
It had been a while since Breece Hall was able to find success in a game. He clearly was a good boy this year as Santa delivered a big game for Hall just in time for the holidays. Hall rushed 20 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns and caught 12 passes (on 16 targets) for 96 yards. His 191 total yards were the most since he totaled 194 in Week 5 against the Broncos (including 177 rushing) and his 95 receiving yards are the most since his 100-yard receiving day in Week 5 of last season against the Dolphins.
WR Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson was hardly targeted in the second half — just four targets, all in the fourth quarter. He had just one catch in the second half. But he was key in helping the Jets get out to an early 20-0 and 27-7 lead. Wilson finished with 76 yards on nine catches (15 targets), second to only Hall’s 96. Wilson is now 12 catches and 42 yards away from 100 catches and 1,000 yards for the season.
S Ashtyn Davis
Ashtyn Davis has been a special-teams stud this season. Another notch under his belt came Sunday with a fumble recovery on a Jamison Crowder punt return in the second quarter.
P Thomas Morstead
Thomas Morstead is making his own Pro Bowl case as well. Six punts averaging almost 49 yards with two punts inside the 20. Morstead has been a star all season by pinning opponents deep in their own territory and helping the Jets create three safeties this season.
S Tony Adams
It only took two plays from scrimmage for the defense to get on a roll. Tony Adams picked off Commanders quarterback Sam Howell in the first few seconds of the game, leading to a Greg Zuerlein field goal. Adams also had five tackles, behind only Quincy Williams (8) and C.J. Mosley (7).
