Three Victory Monday Game Balls after Jets Hand Eagles First Loss
The New York Jets knocked the Philadelphia Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten in Week 6 thanks to widespread contributions from every corner of their roster.
Whether coming from Practice Squad players, high-paid stars or grizzled veterans, there was no shortage of prime performances in Gang Green's 20-14 win over the defending NFC champions. For that reason, it was quite a challenge to determine the recipients of the three Jets Country Game Balls — one on offense, one on defense and one on special teams.
On offense, veteran backup Wes Schweitzer filled in admirably after the Jets lost starting right guard Joe Tippmann to injury midway through the first half. The unit's most dynamic player on Sunday, however, was none other than WR1 Garrett Wilson.
The defense benefitted from the pass rushing prowess of Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson while veteran safety Jordan Whitehead led with a valiant effort in the injury-depleted secondary. All three men made a case for a game ball, but the memento goes to the young free safety who made the tide-turning play.
The Jets' special teams accounted for another solid effort and produced the game's top scorer for the second week in a row.
Victory Monday Game Balls (Week 6)
Offense: Garrett Wilson, WR 🏈
Seemingly playing through pain for a large portion of the game, Wilson was as reliable as ever against the previously-unbeaten Eagles.
The Jets' WR1 totaled a team-high 90 yards receiving on eight receptions and also had a key 25-yard gainer called back due to an offensive penalty. Wilson moved the chains on four of his eight grabs. He picked up a fifth first down by drawing a defensive pass interference penalty on a 2nd-and-12 play late in the second quarter.
After the game, quarterback Zach Wilson revealed his willingness to take chances when targeting Garrett Wilson.
"That was the goal tonight. I think there was a couple I just put one up there for him," said the third-year quarterback. "Maybe I could’ve thrown a check down that gets tackled for 10 yards, but we want to score touchdowns so I was trying to give him a shot there. Putting something up for him and trying to let him go make a play."
Wilson, the receiver, twice gave the Jets a fresh set of downs during their first scoring drive of the game, which ended on a 43-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein to cut the deficit to 7-3 early in the second quarter. On another scoring drive right before halftime, Wilson made two grabs for 20 yards and drew the aforementioned PI call.
The 90 yards were a season high for Wilson, who has made multiple receptions in all six games this season.
Defense: Tony Adams, FS 🏈
With the defense playing down four cornerbacks due to injury, Adams stayed strong on the back end and delivered what was essentially the game-winning play with under 2:00 remaining.
With the Eagles able to effectively end the game by converting, Adams intercepted a third-down pass by Jalen Hurts at the Jets' 47-yard line. The former college cornerback raced down to the Philadelphia 8, setting the stage for Breece Hall's go-ahead touchdown one play later.
"I thought it was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe he [Hurts] threw it. I couldn’t believe he [Adams] almost housed it. But a really cool moment," said quarterback Zach Wilson.
In addition to the pick, Adams accounted for seven stops in the win. The second-year pro, who is in his first season as a starter, also made his presence felt in run defense. Adams dropped DeAndre Swift for a two-yard loss in the third quarter, putting the Eagles off schedule on the way to a three-and-out.
"He’s a tremendous communicator. He has tremendous explosiveness and speed and instincts. I stand by it, I think he’s going to be a fixture here for a while," said head coach Robert Saleh.
Jets' safety Tony Adams (22) returns an interception vs. Philadelphia
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Special Teams: Greg Zuerlein, K 🏈
Zuerlein scored the Jets' first 12 points of Sunday's upset victory, finishing 4-for-4 on field goal attempts. It was the second game in a row that the grizzled veteran has hit at least four three-pointers.
His fourth field goal, a 38-yarder, pulled the Jets within 14-12 during the final minute of the third quarter. Zuerlein connected on his first three attempts all in the second quarter, hitting from 43, 42 and 35 yards.
Zuerlein has missed only once in 15 field goal attempts this season. His 14 triples are tied for fifth most in the NFL after six weeks.
In the past two weeks, Greg the Leg has totaled 31 points and two Jets Country Game Balls. He is the team's leading scorer.
READ MORE:
Another Jets' Offensive Lineman Goes Down vs. Eagles
Three Cornerbacks and Clemons Among Jets' Inactives in Week 6
