The Jets’ 34-27 win over the Giants was a team effort. Almost everyone chipped in to help the Jets earn their second victory of the season, especially with an injury-riddled roster.
Sam Darnold and Jamal Adams deserve most of the credit for the win, but there were plenty of other players that helped at various positions on the field. Players stepped up for injured teammates or bad play and immediately contributed on both sides of the ball. A couple rookies even stood out.
Here are six unsung heroes from the Jets’ Week 10 win.
LT Kelvin Beachum
Beachum returned from injury and immediately helped keep Sam Darnold upright. The veteran left tackle missed three games with an ankle injury but looked like the best lineman on the field for the Jets. He didn’t allow a single sack or quarterback hit in a game in which Darnold was only sacked twice.
Darnold’s 2.95 seconds was the seventh-longest time to throw of all Week 10 quarterbacks, per Next Gen Stats, and a lot of that has to do with Beachum’s return. The Jets haven’t enjoyed much consistency on the line, but Beachum provides a little bit of continuity if he can stay healthy.
CB Bless Austin
The rookie cornerback saw action for the first time all season after he missed the first eight weeks of the season coming off ACL injuries in college. Austin hadn’t played in over 14 months but replaced Nate Hairston in the second quarter and played very well during his 45 snaps.
The rookie finished with three tackles, two passed defended and forced a fumble on the final play of the game. Austin was great in coverage as well – he only allowed one catch for 14 yards on his four targets. With such a depleted secondary, the Jets will need the young Austin to step up and contribute immediately.
WR Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Thomas is quickly becoming one of Darnold’s favorite targets. He caught six of his nine targets for 84 yards – all of which led the team. Thomas made two big receptions on the Jets’ opening touchdown drive and also caught a huge 47-yard catch on third-down early in the fourth quarter that helped set up a Sam Ficken field goal to give Gang Green a seven-point cushion.
Thomas has battled inconsistent play and drops all year, but he’s starting to look more like himself as he gets acclimated to Darnold and the Jets offense.
TE Trevon Wesco
Wesco only played 17 snaps, but he made the most of them. The rookie tight end converted a crucial fourth and one on the Jets’ second touchdown drive and hauled in his first NFL reception on third down early in the fourth quarter.
Late in the first quarter, Wesco took the snap from Darnold and plowed through the line to gain for a two-yard run. Five plays later, Darnold hit Jamison Crowder for a 23-yard touchdown to give the Jets a 14-0 lead. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Wesco converted a third and one with a 15-yard reception from Darnold to push the Jets out of the shadow of their own endzone.
After a quiet start to his career, Wesco has improved immensely over the past three games and turned in his best Pro Football Focus grade this season, an 84.5. With the injury to Chris Herndon, the Jets may need Wesco to step up more.
DE Nathan Shepherd
In a crowded defensive line group, Shepherd stood out despite only playing 21 snaps.
Shepherd, who missed six games this year due to suspension, tallied a sack and three tackles for a loss against the Giants. He turned in an 82.0 grade from Pro Football Focus and finally looked like the player the Jets took in the third round of the 2018 draft.
LB James Burgess
After a poor game against Miami, Burgess rebounded in a big way against the Giants.
Burgess stepped up to start with Neville Hewitt and C.J. Mosley still both out with injuries. He played well in the middle of the defense, wracking up seven combined tackles, one quarterback hit, half a sack and one pass defended.
