New York Jets' Week 2 game balls go to gunner, edge rusher and rookie RB

Anthony Fama

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New York Jets' Week 2 game balls go to gunner, edge rusher and rookie RB image

There were a bunch of standout performances in the New York Jets' hard-fought victory on Sunday over the Tennessee Titans.

The Jets were hit with adversity multiple times throughout the 24-17 victory and it was one of those gutsy wins that may prove pivotal down the stretch. There are plenty of plaudits to hand out, but I've limited it to three game balls, one for each phase of the game. 

Here are the three game ball recipients for the Jets' Week 2 road win.

Irvin Charles (Special Teams)

When you think of the different ways the Jets could win a game in 2024, Irvin Charles may not be the first player off of your bingo card. 

That being said, Charles was the most impactful player on the Jets out of all three phases of the game Sunday (offense, defense, and special teams). The backup WR isn't going to be utilized heavily on the offense but proved to be a force on special teams. Charles made two impressive tackles on punt returns, pinning Titans punt returner Jha'Quan Jackson within the 15-yard line when the Jets needed good field position.

The highlight of Charles' day came midway through the third quarter when he blocked a punt that gave the Jets offense the ball at the Titans' 30-yard line. The block led to an additional three points on the board for the Jets and was a momentum shifter for the team.

Charles was graded out at a team-high 91.3 by PFF for his special teams performance. Even though special teams doesn't jump out on the box score, Charles' play was vital in what was a close game.

Will McDonald IV (Defense)

The Jets' defense has not been up to standard over the first two weeks of the season by any means. Nonetheless, fans were finally able to see what impact former first-round pick Will McDonald IV can make off the edge in the pass rush game.

McDonald IV made his presence felt on Sunday logging three out of the team's four sacks. Three sacks in one game is incredible, but it's the moments that he got those sacks that stand out.

His first sack changed the whole facet of the game when he seemed to have tripped up Titans QB Will Levis midway through the second quarter. For context, the Titans were up 7-0 at that point and were entering the red zone when McDonald IV made an inadvertent coverage sack that forced Levis to try and make a last-minute toss play. A putrid decision by Levis to toss the ball backward ended up in a Jets fumble and recovery.

The play of the day on the defense came from McDonald IV in the final seconds of the 4th quarter as the Titans were looking for a last-minute touchdown. The Titans were driving down the field, but on a crucial third down McDonald IV got by veteran right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere to bring down Levis and force a long 4th down. The Jets proceeded to get the stop and win the game the next play.

With defensive end Jermaine Johnson and linebacker C.J. Mosley being taken out of the game because of injuries the Jets' defense needed someone to step up and make big-time plays. McDonald IV has had a rough beginning to his Jets career but Sunday's performance may be his coming out party that the Jets desperately need. This type of day for the young pass rusher is a positive sign for games to come. 

 

Braelon Allen (Offense)

Just when you thought the Jets didn't have enough talent on the offense, RB Braelon Allen seems to be another force in the backfield. The RB room is highlighted by superstar RB Breece Hall who is the clear workhorse back and had himself a great game, but Allen was magnificent in his second game as a Jet.

The rookie fourth-round RB out of Wisconsin had only seven carries for 33 yards but scored two pivotal touchdowns. Allen's first touchdown in the second quarter cemented him as the youngest RB in NFL history to score a touchdown at just 20 years and 239 days old.

That first touchdown came through the air via a screen where he leapt in the endzone to tie the game at seven a piece right before halftime. His second score came late in the 4th quarter after QB Aaron Rodgers correctly checked to a stretch run where Allen hit the hole with great speed and helped the Jets take what was a game-winning 24-17 lead.

The tandem between Hall and Allen is being categorized by them both as the "Killer Bees" and it may be the perfect nickname as they combined for 170 total yards & 3 TDs yesterday. Just as it seemed that the offense was getting stifled by a talented Titans defense, Hackett deployed a two-RB set and it proved to be successful when both RBs were on the field at the same time as well.

 

More New York Jets News:

• Three Jets' defensive starters on mend, RB Breece Hall lands on injury report

• Aaron Rodgers shares moment with Jets' teammate after Achilles tear

• Jets' veteran compares real deal rookie to All-Pro after two-touchdown day

• WATCH: Jets RB Breece Hall goes full Garrett Wilson for touchdown vs. Titans

• Allen Lazard's two-word response on difference from first season with Jets

Anthony Fama

Anthony Fama Photo

Anthony Fama covers the New York Jets for The Sporting News. He is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, where he covered Terrapins football and basketball for Inside the Black and Gold. He also produces and hosts his own talk show on Spotify called 914 Sports Talk covering all New York sports.