NY Jets studs, duds following the loss to the Bills in Week 14

The NY Jets had another heartbreaking loss this week, falling to the Buffalo Bills by a final score of 20-12. It was yet another case of the Jets taking a hard-fought game down to the wire but coming up just short — a theme that is becoming more and more common this season.

Let’s take a look at some of the studs and duds from this week’s game.

Mike White, QB, NY Jets - STUD

More than anyone else, Mike White deserves his praise after that game. White completed 27-of-44 passes for 268 yards while under constant pressure all game. The Bills hit Mike White so hard that he had to go to the hospital after the game.

Despite leaving two separate times with rib injuries, White came back and still played. White showed the heart that he plays with and proved that he deserves to be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

Garrett Wilson, WR, NY Jets - STUD

Garrett Wilson had yet another big game this week. Wilson had six catches for 78 yards and was White’s go-to target for most of the game.

Wilson passed Keyshawn Johnson for the most receiving yards by a Jets rookie and also became the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, passing Seattle’s Kenneth Walker.

At this point, it is safe to say the Jets have their No. 1 wide receiver for the foreseeable future.

Quinnen Williams, DT, NY Jets - STUD

Quinnen Williams had another dominant performance this week. Williams had two sacks after only a quarter and a half. He then left due to a calf injury, but it seems like he will be ok and even has a chance to play next week.

Williams was the highest-graded Jets player by Pro Football Focus with an 89.1 grade.

Braxton Berrios, WR, NY Jets - DUD

Braxton Berrios had an out-of-character game this week. Berrios is one of the better punt returners in the NFL, but it did not seem like that this week.

He let a lot of the Bills' punts drop, and that resulted in a few Jets drives starting inside the five-yard line. One punt in particular almost hit Berrios and gave the Bills a free touchdown, but luckily enough for the Jets, it was called a touchback.

Berrios’ offensive usage has also been a problem in recent weeks. After dropping the game-winning touchdown last week against the Vikings, the Jets went back to him again at the goal line at the end of the game. It didn’t work.

It is hard to see the value in giving Berrios looks like this along with the plays designed to get the ball in his hands when they could be better used for someone like Elijah Moore.

Michael Carter, RB, NY Jets - DUD

Michael Carter had a rough game this week. Carter was outshined by undrafted free agent Zonovan Knight, who had yet another big game. Carter had five rushes for only five yards versus Knight’s 17 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Carter also had a devastating fumble late in the game that stalled the Jets' comeback hopes. The second-year back had the second-lowest PFF grade from the Jets' offense with a 41.2 grade, while Knight had the highest grade on the offense with an 80.2 grade.

Knight has proven he deserves the bulk of the carries over any of the other running backs on the roster in Breece Hall’s absence.

Offensive Line, NY Jets - DUD

The offensive line was simply not good enough this week. As mentioned before, it felt like Mike White was getting hit hard with every other dropback. The Bills had four sacks and eight quarterback hits on the day.

If the Jets want to keep their playoff hopes alive, the offensive line needs to find a way to keep White on his feet, because when they do, the offense excels.

Overall

After these last two losses and both the Patriots and Chargers' wins this week, the Jets' playoff hopes are dwindling. To close out the season, the Jets play the red-hot Lions, the Jaguars, the Seahawks, and the Dolphins. 

None of these games will be easy, but at this point, the Jets have to treat each week as a must-win.