Very few people gave the Jets a chance against the Eagles. This site even predicted them to lose by two scores. Yet somehow, some way, the Jets found a way to defeat the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles and enter their bye week at 3-3 and on a two-game winning streak.
The Jets were battered and bruised but never wavered. As a result, they have their first win ever against the Eagles and were able to navigate a brutal early-season schedule to a 3-3 record when they very easily could have ended up 2-4 or even 1-5.
Which players stepped up big-time for the Jets in this win? Who stepped aside? Did anybody step aside? Here’s our studs and duds for Week 6.
Stud: S Tony Adams
The Philadelphia Eagles were on the verge of 6-0. They needed just one more first down. Tony Adams had other plans. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made a poor throw into double coverage, Adams stepped in front of the throw and returned the ball down inside the Eagles’ 10. They would score on the next play before the defense made one final stop.
Without Adams’ big play, the Jets are sitting at 2-4. Instead, they’re riding high into their bye week and now have a much better chance at making the playoffs. Entering Sunday Night Football (Bills vs. Giants), the Jets are only a half-game out of a wild-card spot. They have Adams to thank for that.
LOUD NOISES AT METLIFE. WHAT A HUGE PLAY BY TONY ADAMS!!!!#PHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/mNxnLZa9g4
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2023
Stud: DE Jermaine Johnson
The Jets forced a good bit of pressure on Jalen Hurts and Jermaine Johnson was in the thick of it. And that’s not even talking all about pass-rush. Johnson’s coverage played a huge factor as well. It was Johnson who knocked away a pass intended for Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. The ball then landed right in the hands of Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Johnson finished the day with three passes defended. He is getting the job done both in rushing the passer and in coverage. What a second season he is having.
LOOK AT @QuinnenWilliams and @ii_jermaine IN COVERAGE!#PHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/7fWDZgYPP6
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2023
Stud: LB Quincy Williams
Another week, another chance to talk about how great Quincy Williams has been. Williams once again led the Jets in tackles with 12. He also added a tackle for a loss, a pass defended and recovered a D’Andre Swift fumble (honorable mention to C.J. Mosley as he forced the fumble with a great punch). Jacksonville’s loss has truly been New York’s gain when it comes to Quincy Williams.
perfect punch 👊 @TreyDeuce32RTR#PHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/iF8ZQYlpeP
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2023
Stud: DE Bryce Huff
Sooner or later, people will realize how good Bryce Huff actually is. Huff came up big yet again, scoring 1.5 sacks, his second straight game with a sack. He now has 2.5 for the season. On a day when the Jets needed their defensive front to step up, Huff answered the call, helping the Jets take advantage of the Eagles being without right tackle Lane Johnson for most of the game and beating up on his replacement, Jack Driscoll.
Stud: CB Bryce Hall
The Jets were without three of their top four cornerbacks against what was supposed to be a vaunted Eagles offense. No problem, the rest of them said. The cornerbacks that did play — Bryce Hall, Craig James, Tae Hayes and Michael Carter II — all stepped up at one point or another. Hall in particular as he picked off a Jalen Hurts pass that was wobbly thanks to him being hit by Jermaine Johnson. Make that two weeks in a row with a pick for Hall after never having one in his career before the Denver game.
.@ii_jermaine WITH THE RUSH, @BryceHall11 WITH THE PICK#PHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/JVD2Q5T2Su
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2023
WR Garrett Wilson
Good things happen when No. 17 has the football in his hands. Zach Wilson certainly understands that as he targeted Garrett Wilson 12 times. Garrett Wilson hauled in eight of those 12 targets and took them for 90 yards, accounting for almost half of the 186 passing yards and eight of the 19 completions Zach Wilson finished with. Garrett Wilson (369 yards through six games) is on pace for another 1,000-yard season.
Dud: Jets' red-zone offense
Instead of singling out a player after this win, we’ll instead make note of the fact that the Jets could have had a lot more points. The Jets reached the red zone four times and came away with a touchdown just once and that was the possession following the Tony Adams interceptions in which the Jets started inside the 10-yard line and the Eagles likely let Breece Hall score a touchdown.
Had the Jets lost, this would be the stat everyone would back on as a key reason. That and points off of turnovers. Before the Hall touchdown after Adams’ interception, the Jets scored just three points off of Eagles turnovers. Fortunately for the Jets, their defense held the Eagles just enough — they also didn’t give the ball away — to hang around and make the plays when they needed to for the win.
