The Jets luck finally ran out when they lost to the Patriots in a Week 8 loss on Sunday, bringing them to 5–3 on the season.
It was an all-around ugly performance from Gang Green, and possibly exposed the gaping holes this roster will need to cope with going forward if they want to remain anywhere near playoff contention.
Now, we’ll look at who performed well, and who struggled with another edition of Studs and Duds.
Like each week, this column will only look at the performance in the most recent game, identifying who stepped up and who struggled — and what fans can expect from the New York roster in the weeks to come.
Duds
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first.
Michael Carter
This marked the first Jets game without Breece Hall, the stellar rookie running back who tore his ACL in Week 7. That left Michael Carter to head up the backfield, with newly-acquired running back James Robinson playing backup duties.
Hall’s absence was immediately noticeable, as Carter failed to generate the same energy in the backfield that the rookie has become notorious for. He finished the game with seven carries for just 26 yards and no scores. If this game is any indication of the Jets rushing attack going forward, they are in big trouble.
Zach Wilson
The second-year passer needed to have a good game if the Jets were going to contend with their rival Patriots. While he had some good moments in the game, Wilson failed to step up on Sunday, and it cost the Jets big time.
He showed some sparks with his feet while avoiding pressure, but then constantly wasted that extra time by tossing the ball into double and triple coverage, or simply missing his receivers.
Wilson finished the game with three interceptions, and completed just 20 of his 41 passes for a dismal 24.1 QBR on Sunday. The quarterback needs to play better than that .
Studs
Now for some good news.
Garrett Wilson
The rookie pass catcher, who the Jets drafted with the 10th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, had one of the best games of his young career on Sunday.
Wilson racked in six receptions for 115 yards, including a stellar 54 yard grab on third-and-five in the first quarter to extend the Jets drive early. His six receptions came on just seven targets.
The rookie has shown flashes of brilliance on the football field so far in his career, but Sunday showed his true potential. He has the ability to be among the best wideouts in the NFL, and if he plays like he did on Sunday, that time may come sooner than anyone could’ve hoped for.
C.J. Mosley
Mosley has become somewhat of a staple in the “studs” column, but he has earned it.
The linebacker was everywhere on Sunday, anchoring the defense with speed and tenacity that has defined his season thus far.
Mosley finished the game with 13 tackles, including 10 solo bring-downs, while defending one pass. More than his stats, he was a menace on the field, and has become one of the most feared defenders in football.
Sauce Gardner
Gardner’s Rookie of the Year campaign continued on Sunday when the stellar cornerback simply shut down his assignment for four quarters.
The rookie played 45 coverage snaps on Sunday, and allowed just a single yard gained in the passing game. He also recorded two tackles-for-losses, and two other bring-downs.
When Gang Green spent the fourth-overall pick on Gardner in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is exactly what they were hoping for.
