Two First Round Draft Picks and 15-Year Veteran Claim Victory Monday Game Balls after Jets' OT Win
There will be no style points awarded for this one, but a win is a win.
The New York Jets somehow pulled out a 13-10 overtime victory over the New York Giants in Week 8 at MetLife Stadium. In a game where the Jets lost two offensive linemen and the Giants were forced to play emergency quarterback Tommy DeVito, Robert Saleh's team drove 58 yards in 23 seconds for a game-tying field goal on the final snap of regulation.
"A series of just sloppy ball all the way around, but they never ask how. They ask, 'how many?'" said Saleh.
At the end of the day, the Jets moved to 4-3 overall and hold realistic postseason hopes as they approach the midway point of the regular season schedule.
When it comes to the individuals who made the team's third straight win possible, Jets Country has tabbed two 2022 first-round draft picks and a 15-year veteran as Week 8 Victory Monday Game Ball recipients.
After wins, game balls are awarded to one player from each of the team's three units — offense, defense, special teams.
Offense: Garrett Wilson, WR 🏈
Although Practice Squad call-up Xavier Newman received heavy consideration after being unexpectedly forced into duty at two different positions, the offense game ball goes to the Jets' WR1. On a wet day at MetLife Stadium, Wilson went for a game-high 100 receiving yards on seven receptions.
Four of Wilson's catches resulted in first downs and the second-year receiver moved the chains a fifth time by drawing a pass interference penalty.
Wilson, the No. 10 overall selection from the 2022 NFL Draft, accounted for key gains on each of the two late field goal drives. With the Jets at their own 25-yard line and only 24 seconds left, the dynamic pass-catcher made a 29-yard reception to move the offense into Giants' territory.
"I just knew we weren’t going to have a lot of time, but luckily Zach [Wilson] and Garrett did their thing, so it was a blessing," said running back Michael Carter about the game-tying possession.
In overtime, Wilson converted a 3rd-and-10 from the Green & White 39-yard line by making an 11-yard catch while being interfered with.
Defense: Jermaine Johnson, DE 🏈
The Jets tied an NFL single-game record by limiting their opponent to -9 net pass yards in Week 8 and Johnson was a driving force behind the effort.
The 2022 first-round draft pick totaled six tackles, 2.0 sacks and four quarterback hits. It was Johnson's first career multi-sack effort. According to TruMedia, he logged five pressures on 16 pass rush snaps.
Johnson's performance wasn't completely mistake free. The energetic edge rusher committed an unnecessary roughness penalty after a third down stop, giving the Giants a fresh set of downs in the red zone to lead to their only touchdown.
"Stupid penalty! I know better than that! I’ll be better," said Johnson in a postgame post on the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
Johnson bounced back following the third-quarter foul. He made a couple key stops in run defense as the Jets blanked Big Blue the rest of the way.
Special Teams: Thomas Morstead, P 🏈
Already performing at a high level in his 15th NFL season, Morstead made Jets' single-game history in the 13-10 triumph over the Giants.
Pushing the envelope in an attempt to win the field position battle, he became the franchise's first punter to have three punts downed inside of the opponent's 5-yard line.
"Especially, you see how Thomas Morstead was able to perform today. I think he's really the unsung hero of this game because of how he was able to flip the field for us," said veteran receiver Allen Lazard.
Four of Morstead's 11 punts backed the Giants up to drive starts inside their own 20. None of his kicks resulted in touchbacks.
He nailed a 49-yard boot that landed at the Giants' 2-yard line and set the stage for the team's only touchdown. In the shadow of their own goal line, the Giants went three-and-out and the Jets received the ball back at midfield. Breece Hall scored one snap later.
In the fourth quarter, Morstead dropped a 43-yard punt at the Big Blue 3-yard line.
In addition to netting 43.0 yards per punt, Morstead was reliable as the team's holder for placekicks. In rainy conditions, he was able to handle a shaky snap on the game-winning field goal.
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