After losing Aaron Rodgers in the season-opening drive, no one thought the New York Jets had a shot at the postseason. Since third-year quarterback Zach Wilson took over, the squad is now 3-3 and has a legitimate opportunity to sneak into the playoffs.
In Week 6, facing the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Saleh and the Jets pulled off an upset. New York's defense came up big, as they forced three interceptions against last season's MVP runner-up Jalen Hurts.
Through the first five weeks, the Eagles ranked fifth in points. Against the Jets though, they only managed to put up 14 points. Even without the star cornerback duo of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, New York was still able to limit one of the NFL's best offenses.
This was the biggest win for the Jets in a long time, as they showed they are still a threat without the four-time MVP. Here are three players who shined the most in New York's upset win over Philadelphia:
3. RB Breece Hall
Going up against the best-rushing defense in the NFL was for sure a challenge for the second-year running back. Breece Hall was able to find ways to get involved, even though he had just 39 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
The former Iowa State star scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Jets and was able to rack up five catches for 59 yards. New York scored just 12 points through three quarters against Philadelphia and didn't have a single touchdown.
It was Hall who came up big yet again for the Jets, as his go-ahead touchdown was the team's only touchdown. New York is at its best when their RB gets in the endzone, as they're 8-5 when Hall scores.
Hall now has 539 scrimmage yards through six games this season. He even has more rushing yards than superstar RB Derrick Henry. The Jets RB is averaging 6.5 yards-per-carry this season, which is first among all RB's that have played more than five games this season.
Even though Wilson is in his third season as the Jets QB, he is still experiencing growing pains. With New York's star RB by his side, it makes Wilson's job a lot easier. If Hall hadn't gotten involved in Week 6 against the Eagles, then the Jets wouldn't have pulled off the upset.
2. FS Tony Adams
In his second season as a pro, Jets safety Tony Adams is starting to find his groove. The 24-year-old safety had one of the biggest plays of the season for New York, as he picked off Hurts in the fourth quarter which allowed the offense to score the go-ahead touchdown.
The undrafted free agent has been impressing Saleh ever since New York picked him up, and he came up big in the upset over Philadelphia. Not only did he pick off the former Heisman Trophy winner, but Adams also recorded five tackles, tying his season high.
Philadelphia has one of the best offenses in football, as they have an MVP-caliber QB, along with two elite receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. New York's defense was able to step up again, even without the elite cornerback duo.
Quinnen Williams and Bryce Hall also had two big interceptions in the Week 6 game, but Adams was certainly the most important one. Without the 24-year-old's late-game interception, the Jets wouldn't have pulled off the upset over the Eagles.
1. DL Bryce Huff
Bryce Huff is starting to emerge as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL this season, as he had another huge performance in Week 6. His nine QB pressures against Philadelphia was a career-high for the 25-year-old defensive lineman.
Huff recorded 1.5 sacks against the Eagles and disrupted Hurts all game long. In the most important game of the Jets season, the former Memphis DL had the best game of his young career.
In the last two games for New York, Huff racked up 2.5 sacks with a total of 17 pressures. The undrafted free agent is playing his best football at the perfect time, and Saleh would love this to continue.
New York already has a star-studded defensive line, but they would become even more dangerous if Huff plays like this for the remainder of the season. If the Jets want to make the postseason, they're going to need the young DL to play like he did against the Eagles for the rest of the season.
