Photo Credit: David Berding/Getty Images
The Jets failed to come back in a meaningful, hard-fought game against the Vikings.
Usually, the Jets would think about who they would be drafting with their top ten or even top-five pick in the next NFL draft. Still, coming into today’s matchup as the 7th seed, things have changed over at One Jets Drive, as their game against the Minnesota Vikings would be crucial in their hopes of making the playoffs. For the first time in over half a decade, the Jets played a meaningful game that involved their hopes of making the playoffs the first time in over ten years. Even though they played relentlessly throughout all four quarters against the Vikings, it was not enough as they fell short of a comeback attempt against the Minnesota Vikings 27-22.
The Jets were getting everyone involved when Mike White was operating at quarterback. After an excellent offensive showing against the Chicago Bears, the Jets couldn’t resist giving Mike White the keys to drive the Jets’ offense for another week, especially in a crucial matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Even Zonovan Knight, the undrafted rookie running back out of NC State, was getting involved in last week’s game against the Bears. The Jets were entering today’s matchup against the Vikings as the seventh seed, which is the final remaining playoff spot, and a win against the Vikings would’ve helped them in the long run, for teams such as the Bengals, Chargers, and Patriots are lurking to make the Playoffs hopefully.
In today’s matchup, the Vikings ranked 32nd in pass defense, which would be great for the Jets’ explosive weapons.
In the first quarter, the Jets got the ball to start the game. They tried to get a jump start on offense, but a holding call on Corey Davis and then a dropped pass by Corey Davis that ended up tipped in the air for Harrison Smith to make the interception certainly isn’t how the Jets scripted the first drive of the game to go the way they’d intended it to be. Luckily, the Jets’ defense would cause the Vikings to go three and out, only for Vikings Kicker Greg Joseph to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead.
Next Jets drive, the Jets drive downfield off a couple of catches by Corey Davis, one on third down. As the Jets tried to approach the RedZone, on a 3rd and 10, Mike White almost threw his second pick of the game as he forced a ball to tight end Tyler Conklin, but the ball bounced out of the Vikings defender. The Jets’ drive would end in a 48-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal, making the score even at 3-3
Another critical point in the Jets’ matchup against the Vikings was how the Jets’ defense would play against the star-studded wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Robert Saleh, a couple of days before the Vikings matchup, didn’t hold back when asked about the challenge of covering Justin Jefferson, saying:
“I’ll put our guys up against anybody.”
Well, Cousin’s first pass to Jefferson was deflected by Cornerback Dj Reed. Cousins would end up going 0/5 to start the game as he missed on throws to Adam Thelien.
Now into the Second quarter, with the Vikings driving downfield off of holding calls on the Jets’ defense on Sauce Gardner and Dj Reed, and then an unnecessary roughness call on safety Jordan Whitehead set up a 4-yard touchdown run for Dalvin Cook to put the Vikings up 10-3.
The next Jets drive was decent; Max Mitchell was getting himself benched as he was beaten on a play by outside linebacker Patrick Jones for a 3-yard loss, which would result in getting Goerge Fant back in the game, which was his first game back off of injury since week 3.
Next Vikings possession, as the Vikings drove downfield after a failed Jets challenge, Alexander Mattison would score off a 14-yard rushing touchdown to give the Vikings a 17-3 lead.
As the Jets try to make the score competitive before halftime, the Jets send Greg Zuerlein for a 60-yard field goal attempt, and it would be good as Zuerlein made the longest field goal in Jets franchise history. The score would be 20-6 Minnesota.
Halfway through the game, the Jets stayed competitive as they made it 20-9. On a 2nd and 8, Mike White finds Garrett Wilson for a 13-yard gain and takes some big hits. Saleh was seen talking to the refs asking why the Jets didn’t get a call for unnecessary roughness, but Jordan Whitehead did as Garrett Wilson took some big hits on the play. An illegal block in the back on tackle George Fant would stop the Jets from doing anything on offense as they settled for a Zuerlein field goal making the score 20-12.
Heading into the fourth quarter, after the Jets forced a Vikings three and out, the Jets looked to score a touchdown finally, and they were close as Garrett Wilson took advantage of a 60-yard catch and run and could’ve achieved it but was stepped out of bounds at the Vikings 11. The drive would end in a Zuerlein field goal making the score 20-15.
The defense can only do so much, as the offense only produces field goals. The Vikings would then go downfield to score on a 10-yard touchdown catch by Justin Jefferson, giving the Vikings a 27–15 lead.
The Jets weren’t done yet as they started the next drive with a Zonovan Knight 46-yard run. Garrett Wilson would then draw a pass interference on Duke Shelly to get the Jets within the red zone in under 30 seconds. The Jets, who have had trouble in the red zone all day, would finally score off a Mike White quarterback sneak to trim the score to 27-22. The touchdown almost didn’t count but was overturned after the play was reviewed.
As the Jets forced the Vikings to go three and out, the ended up down the red zone again after a couple of catches to Corey Davis, one for a crucial 4th down catch. As the Jets approach the one-yard line, they fail to punch it in on the one-yard line as Braxton Berrios dropped a pass in his hands and gave the Vikings the ball at the 1-yard line.
After the Jets forced the Vikings to go three and out, they got the ball back with 1:19 left in the 4th quarter with no timeouts. As they approach the red zone again, they fail to convert as the Vikings intercept Mike White on a 4th and 10 to seal the win for the Vikings as the Jets fell short of a comeback against the Vikings 27-22.
It was one of the best Jets games in a while; it feels rough because they should’ve left Minnesota with a Victory. What hurt the Jets was their lack of creativity in the red zone, as they were 1 for 6 in the red zone. It would’ve been nice to see them get the tight ends involved, as they signed Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah for reasons such as significant receiver threats in the red zone. The Jets’ offense was able to move the chains, but how did they only score one touchdown in a total of 83 plays while tailing 486 yards on offense? The score should’ve been more than 22 points for the Jets. The Jets ran 24 plays in the red zone, which is insane to think about, and only had 36 yards which is an average of 1.5 yards per play.
Mike White did play impressive throughout the game despite throwing 57 times for 369 yards. The two interceptions shouldn’t even have been discussed when talking about Mike White’s game, for he was driving the ball downfield and getting the Jets in the perfect position to score; the only knock was the Jets’ offense failed ability to score in the redzone. Either way, today’s loss didn’t let it ruin Mike White’s attitude toward the team; they need to do better for next week, as White said:
“We Stared adversity straight in the face, and we responded. Just have to respond better. No moral victories in the NFL”.
Braxton Berrios wants to have that fourth down playback and took accountability, saying:
“That one’s on me.”
Even when asked if the defender had any impact on defending it or if the pass was behind him, Berrios took accountability.
One of the Bright stars of the game came from the rookie side of the Jets. Rookie stud Garrett Wilson out of Ohio State continues to impress, especially with Mike White in at quarterback, as Garrett hauled in 8 receptions for 162 yards, which is the most for a Jets wide receiver in a game since week 17 of the 2014-15 season when Eric Decker had 221 passing yards. Garrett Wilson gave high praise to Mike White, saying:
“He was out there, controlling the huddle, never letting the moment get too big. It was fantastic to see. Looking back on it now, it’s cool to think about. I know I’d go to war for that boy. He’s got something special about him.
Undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight continues to impress as he rushed for 90 yards while catching five receptions for 28 yards. He joined Philip Lindsay as the only undrafted player in the common-draft era (since 1967) with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of their first two career games. Nicknamed Bam knight, he got more snaps than James Robinson.
Hopefully, when the Jets look at the tape, they look to see how they can be better in the red zone. Mike White continues to impress and probably will keep the Jets’ starting job for the rest of the season with the way he’s been playing and controlling the offense, but he does need to take some blame for their red zone woes, as he was 6-17, 24 yards, and one interception.
Next week’s Jets game will be challenging as the Jets travel up to Orchard Park as they play the Buffalo Bills, who will be looking to avenge their week nine loss to the Jets. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call for next week’s Jets-Bills matchup. Jim Nantz is thrilled about announcing the game, stating.
“It’s been a long time (since 2019). Looking forward to seeing this team.”
While Tony Romo says:
“You’ve got to credit Robert Saleh for what he’s done there to turn that around.”
As a result of the Chargers losing to the Raiders, the Jets still stand as the 7th seed in the AFC playoff picture. Hopefully, the Jets can fix their red zone offense and continue to play the way they’ve been on offense. The defense is doing its part; now it’s time for the offense to do the same, and progress has been made, but more work is still needed.
