The Jets are coming off their greatest victory of the season as they pulled off the upset towards the highest seed within the AFC, the Buffalo Bills, 20-17 on Sunday.
Now as an alternative of using the recent wave into their subsequent sport, the Jets can have a while off as they put together for the second half of the NFL season. Gang Green’s subsequent sport received’t be till Nov. 20, once they play on the Patriots.
The Jets have been one of many greatest surprises within the league this yr, as they’re 6-3 via the primary 9 weeks of the season. If the playoffs began right this moment, the Green and White could be the fifth seed within the AFC. More importantly, the Jets sit only a half-game behind Buffalo for the highest spot within the AFC East.
Although the primary half of the season has been nice, the Jets gamers aren’t trying too far forward.
“We have the next half of the season coming up and we just have to take it one game at a time,” Jets left guard Laken Tomlinson mentioned. “We know what’s developing subsequent.
“We are fortunate enough where we have a week where we can rest up a little bit. But we have to stay focused, ice and rest up.”
One of these gamers who in all probability needs he might compete and proceed his robust play is Zach Wilson, who’s coming off considered one of his greatest video games in a Jets uniform. Against the Bills, Wilson accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 154 yards and a landing. He accomplished 72% of his passes, which was a career-high.
Wilson confronted a whole lot of criticism after the Jets 22-17 loss to the Patriots the week prior as he accomplished 20 of 41 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. But Wilson blocked out the noise and has led the Jets to a 5-1 file since getting back from his preseason meniscus harm.
As the Jets can have the week off, Wilson will return dwelling to Utah and go to his household and chill out his physique earlier than the second half of the season begins. But he does plan on finding out movie and maintaining his mindset ready for the ultimate eight video games.
“We are excited about where we are at,” Wilson mentioned. “But we all know there’s a whole lot of work that must be performed.
“Because of where we are at, guys are taking this bye week very seriously as far as where we need to be when we come back and the improvements that we need to make and how we can keep this thing going.”
As the second half of the NFL season is about to start, the Jets have already surpassed their win whole (4-13) from final season. They even have proven they’re by no means out of any sport with a number of comeback victories.
The Jets have received three video games this yr (at Browns, at Steelers and vs. Bills) after trailing by double digits. But the Jets protection has loads to do with that as they’re ranked seventh in opponents yards per sport (312.0) and eighth in opponents factors per sport (19.6).
Jets coach Robert Saleh mentioned he advised the gamers that the bye shouldn’t be per week off, it’s only a week away from the constructing. He additionally hopes the gamers will handle their our bodies and proceed to work laborious.
“It’s been fun,” Saleh mentioned. “Even essentially the most optimistic Jet fan wouldn’t have had us at 6-3.
“But on the identical time, we have now an excellent alternative in the course of the second half of the season, however that’s going to require a mindset of simply resetting each single day and treating each second like a championship second and staying true to what we’ve been in a position to do.
“Attacking this bye week and coming again subsequent week and attacking the week heading as much as New England. You gotta maintain the principle factor the principle factor.
“While what’s happened in the past and the first nine games of the season have been awesome, and it is fun and it is cool to get all of those affirmations, it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t attack the second half in the exact same manner.”
RANKINS WILL BE REEVALUATED
The Jets protection held the Bills offense to solely three factors within the second half of their 20-17 victory on Sunday. But it got here at a little bit of a worth.
Defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins injured his elbow and might be week to week, in response to Saleh. The seven-year veteran suffered the harm in the course of the first quarter of the sport towards the Bills.
ESPN experiences that Rankins dislocated his elbow and might be out for 4 to 6 weeks. Saleh didn’t specify what Rankins’ harm was or how a lot time he would possibly miss.
“We are going to allow the bye week to see what happens with him,” Saleh mentioned. “In phrases of [injured reserve] is worried, we aren’t even going to take a look at that till we get again from the bye week to see how he responds to this week.
“We are hopeful he can avoid IR.”
Rankins has been one of many anchors of the Jets line of defense, which has vastly improved 9 video games into the season. He has 25 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss.
The excellent news for the Jets is that their line of defense is arguably the group’s power. Along with Quinnen Williams, the group additionally has Solomon Thomas and Nathan Shepherd, who can play in Rankins’ spot. Micheal Clemons additionally has some expertise at defensive sort out and may very well be utilized in rotational conditions at defensive sort out.
The 6-3 Jets are on a bye this week, which might assist Rankins return to the sphere quicker. Because of that, the Jets could not place Rankins on injured reserve as a result of he must miss a minimal of 4 video games.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com