The New York Jets ride into the sunset in their Week 5 win against the Denver Broncos. After Week 4’s devastating loss against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Zach Wilson and the New York Jets take a home win from Russell Wilson and the Broncos in a 31-21 score. Sunday’s victory is a positive sign for this Jets team struggling to find consistent performance from the talented players on the roster.

A 2-3 record five weeks into the NFL season could be better, but fans should feel optimistic about the playoff future if the Jets continue to win. However, it gets more difficult in Week 6 as Gotham City will face a formidable Philadelphia Eagles team that is 5-0 with no sign of slowing down.

New York Jets Slay

RB Breece Hall slays this week with a monster rushing performance against a weak Broncos defense that gave up 171 rushing to the Chicago Bears in Week 4. The Jets’ focus on the run game worked out perfectly, as Hall rushed for 177 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. Hall averaged 8.0 yards per carry while contributing 17 yards on three receptions. Hall ran confidently on each drive; it’s clear the power back is back to full health after seeing his 72-yard touchdown run.

Greg “the leg” Zuerlein was perfect in Week 5, connecting on 5/5 of his field goals with his longest kick from 49 yards away. Zuerlein has not seen many field goal opportunities before Sunday’s game, as the Jet’s offense has been less than stellar in prior weeks. Zuerlein has another chance to flex his kicking talents if the Jets can continue to move the chains in Week 6.

The New York Jets’ defense slays in Week 5 despite allowing two touchdowns to QB Russell Wilson. The Broncos were tamed on Sunday afternoon, being held to 21 points. The clutch performances from DTs, such as Quincy Williams, who sacked Wilson twice, Jermaine Johnson (1 sack), and Bryce Huff (1 sack), were crucial in the 2nd half. DT Quincy Williams’ 4th quarter sack with less than two minutes was huge. The second sack, which led to a fumble recovery by CB Bryce Hall with less than a minute in the 4th, was also a big moment for the Jets, who have failed to close out their opponents.

 

QB Zach Wilson also slays in Week 5 despite getting sacked four times along with two fumbles while completing 19 passes on 29 attempts, throwing for 199 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. QB Zach Wilson’s performance continues to improve despite facing some challenges under center.

The young Quarterback has played well in the last couple of games, building trust with TE Tyler Conklin on several 3rd down conversions. The play-action 32-yard pass from QB Zach Wilson to WR Garrett Wilson was impressive, a strong display of Wilson’s accurate arm.

New York Jets Bomb

QB Russell Wilson had a solid performance against the New York Jets in Week 5, completing 20 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Wilson has played better under head coach Sean Payton; however, it’s evident that Wilson is no longer the caliber player he once was with the Seattle Seahawks.

WR Jerry Jeudy had another underwhelming performance with 60 yards on six receptions, and the slot man still needs to reach the endzone since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 2. Jeudy’s volume has not been a concern as Wilson’s primary target. However, Jeudy needs to start scoring touchdowns for the Broncos to be successful.

Jets veteran RB Dalvin Cook bombs again in Week 5 with another uninspired performance of 23 rushing yards on six carries while averaging less than 4 yards per carry. Cook’s usage in the Jets’ offensive scheme continues to decrease despite hopeful words from the New York Jets head coach, Robert Saleh. Cook’s role is unlikely to increase after Breece Hall’s Week 5 performance, and should not remain in fantasy lineups unless he receives more touches.

New York Jets Dalvin Cook

Jets RB Dalvin Cook (33) – Getty Images

 

Xavier Gipson bombs on Sunday afternoon, fumbling twice after the Broncos punt in the 2nd half of the game. Gipson is a talented player with elite speed but lacked ball security in Week 5’s performance.

Sean Peyton gets an honorary bomb in Week 5 for failing to get a win against the Jets and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Sunday. The Broncos head coach has not been shy in voicing his opinions by stating “it might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL histroy” referring to Hackett as head coach for the Broncos last season. The Jets presented Hackett with the game ball after Sunday’s Week 5 win, a well-deserved prize for after facing scrutiny from Payton during the off-season.