Grading the Jets’ 31-21 win over the Broncos in Denver on Sunday.
Offense
The Jets moved the ball, gaining 407 yards but they went 0-for-5 on red zone trips and had some early penalties that hurt drives. RB Breece Hall (22 rushes, 177 yards, 1 TD) was the important thing to the offense, showing what he can do when he’s unleashed by the coaches. QB Zach Wilson (19-of-26, 199 yards, 1 INT, 78.8 rating) didn’t do much however the Jets didn’t ask him to do rather a lot. His late interception was a tremendous play by Patrick Surtain. The offensive line struggled with pass blocking, giving up 4 sacks but opened up huge holes for Hall.
Grade: B-
Defense
The Jets were dominant for portion of the second half. They allowed just 4 yards within the third quarter. But they gave up a touchdown drive late and a few big plays early. Ultimately, LB Quincy Williams sealed the sport together with his strip-sack of QB Russell Wilson (20-of-31, 196 yards, 2 TDs, 103.7 rating, 7 rushes, 49 yards). CB Bryce Hall scooped up the fumble and scored. The Jets sacked Wilson 4 times with Williams getting two of those. Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff each had one sack and got good pressure all game.
Grade: B
Special Teams
Greg Zuerlein booted five field goals on this game for the Jets, remaining some of the consistent players on the team. Irv Charles made an enormous play early when he was bearing down on Broncos punt returner Marvin Mims, causing him to muff the ball. Jets punt returner Xavier Gipson fumbled two punts, losing one.
Grade: C
Coaching
This was not a reasonably win for the Jets. Give defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich credit for dialing up the best blitzes against the Broncos late to sack Russell Wilson twice. On offense, Nathaniel Hackett got his revenge over Sean Payton and his former employers by being smart enough at hand the ball to Breece Hall 22 times. Robert Saleh has weathered the early Aaron Rodgers injury storm and has the Jets believing they will still make noise this season.
Grade: B