NY Jets: Studs, duds from Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills

NY Jets

The NY Jets saw some rookies step up in their 18-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

You know, usually when you score more touchdowns than the other team you win the game. But not the NY Jets as they fell to 0-7 this week, losing to the Buffalo Bills 18-10, despite not allowing the Bills to waltz into the end zone once.

That’s right, the Bills kicked six field goals. Tyler Bass fantasy owners were very happy with how this game went. But Jets fans are not. This was the most competitive the team has looked all year, at least in the first half.

The Jets got off to a 10-0 start, but then remembered that they were bad at football. The offense only moved the ball four yards in the entire second half. That is a new low even for the 2020 Jets, especially considering how well they had moved the ball in the first half.

But at the end of the day, the Jets are still winless but not without a couple of bright spots.

Gang Green finally showed a sign of life, albeit a very small sign, but a sign nonetheless. With that, here are the studs and duds of the Jets Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Next: 1. A rookie shines and a leader falls

NY Jets

Stud: Denzel Mims, WR, NY Jets

The long-awaited debut of rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims did not disappoint on Sunday. Mims was a constant target for Same Darnold in the first half. He found ways to get open and get yards after the catch.

On the day, Mims had four catches for 42 yards. Imagine what he could’ve done if the offense remembered to come out of the locker room and play in the second half.

Either way that is a good debut for Mims. He averaged 10.5 yards per catch, if you ask me, that’ll get the job done on the outside.

This is a position that the Jets have needed a star at for a long time and Mims might just be the answer if this type of performance can be consistent. That might not happen if his quarterback continues to play the way he did on Sunday.

Dud: Sam Darnold, QB, NY Jets

Sam Darnold had a decent first half but he makes the duds list again because of some big mistakes he made this week.

The biggest being an interception that was thrown at the end of the first half that really turned the tide of the game. It also put the Bills in a position to kick a field goal (shocker) to cut the Jets lead from seven to four.

Darnold has to be better if he hopes to be the Jets’ quarterback past this season. Even if he plays well the rest of the way, there is no guarantee that he remains the starter, especially if the Jets get the number one overall pick.

He has to be more consistent and make better decisions. We can’t see those types of interceptions from a third-year quarterback.

I am a big Sam Darnold fan and I know the organization has let him down, but Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are from the same draft class and are currently worlds ahead of Darnold.

Next: 2. Were rookies the only ones that showed up?

NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Stud: La’Mical Perine, RB, NY Jets

The next stud of the week is rookie running back La’Mical Perine. Perine looked good this week in his role and once again showed some promise.

Perine had 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown, he was also involved in the passing game a bit, hauling in two catches for 16 yards. He didn’t gain as many yards on the ground as Frank Gore this week but Perine looked strong and quick and he scored the only touchdown of the game.

If you look at the Jets roster, Perine looks like the future at that position (potentially). Le’Veon Bell is with Kansas City (not looking forward to his revenge game this week) and Frank Gore is probably not going to be around next year.

At the end of the day, the Jets have bigger problems than running back so they probably won’t bring in another starting caliber back.

Dud: Bradley McDougald, S, NY Jets

While the Jets young guys didn’t disappoint, some of the older guys did. Bradley McDougald did not look particularly strong in this game and it didn’t go unnoticed.

McDougald was supposed to be a veteran piece that would compliment Marcus Maye. After coming over from the Seattle Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade, many fans had high hopes for him.

But things haven’t panned out. McDougald missed a couple of tackles and got benched at one point for rookie Ashtyn Davis. Getting taken out is a bad look for McDougald and it was because of his play.

At the end of the day, it was just a bad game from McDougald. If the Jets are gonna stand any chance against the reigning Super Bowl champs, they will need better play out of their veteran safety.

Next: 3. Two sides of the line of scrimmage

NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Stud: Quinnen Williams, DL, NY Jets

To say that Jets fans wanted to see a lot more from Quinnen Williams this season would be an understatement. The former No. 3 overall pick had a let down of a rookie year, but has bounced back strong at times this year — this week’s game included.

Williams recorded a sack (his third of the year) and four total tackles against the Bills. He looked really good against what is a pretty strong offensive line and played a big role in forcing the Bills to settle for field goal attempts as opposed to touchdowns.

He was quick off the ball and was disruptive in the backfield all game long. It may have gone unnoticed at times because Josh Allen was getting the ball out of his hand so fast, but when given the opportunity, Williams was making plays.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
• NY Jets: 3 non-quarterback trade targets on offense
• NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year
• NY Jets: Patriots will not use the franchise tag on Joe Thuney
• NY Jets officially place the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye

Hopefully, Williams won’t go anywhere at the trade deadline because he has shown promise this year. He will ideally play a key role on this Jets team for years if this organization can ever turn itself into anything decent.

Dud: Josh Andrews, OG, NY Jets

On the other side of things, it was Josh Andrews who struggled on the Jets’ offensive line. On pass plays his failed blocking was the direct cause of pressure on Darnold and on run plays he failed to get a good push and create running lanes.

If you watch the tape you notice that Andrews was the point of attack for the Bills on multiple occasions. When the Bills would blow up plays, Andrews would be the cause.

Fear not however as when the Jets get healthy along the offensive line, Andrews will be out of the lineup. However, for the time being, we may still have to deal with him.