The Jets made a statement on Sunday.
They didn’t just beat their first tough opponent in a month, a team with a legitimate shot at the postseason. No, they wallopped the Raiders, 34-3. It was another complete game where every facet of the Jets executed at the highest level. The offense scored on almost half of its drives and the defense held the Raiders to only 68 rushing yards and 209 total yards.
Sam Darnold, Jamal Adams and the usual suspects excelled, but players on the fringes of relevance performed admirably in the win. How did Darnold score three touchdowns? The blocking of the offensive line. How did the defense hold Josh Jacobs to a career-low rushing yard total? Penetration from the defensive line. The Jets hit on all cylinders against the Raiders and the result was magnificent.
Here are five unsung heroes from the game.
CB Bless Austin
The sixth-round rookie once again stepped up to help hold Derek Carr and the Raiders passing offense to only 15 competitions for 127 scoreless yards. Austin finished with five combined tackles and a stellar pass break up on third and 2 that forced the Raiders to kick – and miss – a short field goal midway through the second quarter.
Austin only allowed three receptions for 24 yards on six targets against the Raiders, and his 81.7 Pro Football Focus grade was the highest on the Jets defense in Week 12. It took some time, but Austin is coming into his own as a viable starter for the Jets. There are bigger tests ahead, but Austin’s coverage and tackling skills are hard to ignore.
LT Kelvin Beachum
On an offensive line mired by injury and incompetence, Beachum has been a beacon of light during the Jets’ three-game winning streak. The left tackle didn’t give up a quarterback pressure, hit or sack against the Raiders, and he’s only given up three pressures with no sacks or hits in the past four games.
Beachum battled injury throughout the season, but he’s remained the only consistent pass blocker on an offensive line that seems to look a little different every week. He actually sprained his other ankle in the win but played through it. When Beachum plays, Darnold stays upright. When Darnold stays upright, the offense rolls.
DC Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams coached an incredible game Sunday. His defense continues to improve week to week, and the Oakland game proved the capabilities of a unit ravaged by injury. The Jets stymied the Raiders on all fronts and even forced Jon Gruden to bench Derek Carr before the fourth quarter even started.
Oakland couldn’t run or pass and only scored on its first offensive possession of the game. Say what you want about his style or attitude, but Williams is making the most of a defense full of role players.
WR Braxton Berrios
Berrios is the Jets’ punt returner for a reason – he’s fast. He only played three offensive snaps in Week 12, but Berrios put his speed on display during an incredible 69-yard reception less than two minutes into the second half. Darnold hit Berrios after a 10-yard crossing route and the wideout took it 59 more yards to the Raiders’ one-yard line to set up a quick touchdown to Ryan Griffin.
Berrios hit 20.95 miles per hour on that catch-and-run, per Next Gen Stats, which was the third-fastest speed in Week 12 behind noted speedsters Robert Foster and Deebo Samuel and ahead of Will Fuller. Berrios won’t be a weekly contributor on the Jets, but his speed alone gives him the opportunity to change a game.
RB Le’Veon Bell
Bell didn’t put up eye-popping numbers on the ground but his receiving skills were on full display against the Raiders. He opened the game up with a nice 23-yard reception and didn’t drop any of his five targets. Bell finished with 98 total yards, including five receptions for 59 yards. His 38 yards on the Jets’ second drive helped set up Darnold for his eventual score and he continues to force all opponents to gameplan for the Jets’ run game.
Bell isn’t taking over games like the Jets expected him to when they gave him a huge contract this offseason, but he’s still running with power and finesse. If the Jets can build a good run-blocking offensive line and if Darnold can continue to improve in the passing game, the numbers will come for Bell.
