NY Jets studs, duds following loss vs. Chiefs in Week 4

Just like we all predicted, right? The NY Jets lost in heartbreaking fashion, falling to the Chiefs 23-20. With Taylor Swift in attendance and all eyes on the game, the Jets and Zach Wilson showed up, impressed, and were very close to winning the game.

A muffed snap from Wilson and a couple of questionable calls wound up being the difference. Either way, this was a great, much-needed performance from the Jets. Let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the game.

Zach Wilson, QB, NY Jets: STUD

In what many thought could be Wilson’s last start with the Jets, he had one of, if not the best, games of his career.

Wilson looked poised and confident, the polar opposite of last week. He completed 28-of-39 passes for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wilson outplayed Patrick Mahomes, which I do not think anyone would have predicted.

The only mistake on the day was a muffed snap that gave the Chiefs the ball back. Besides that, Wilson was fantastic. Nathaniel Hackett also deserves a lot of credit for a great game plan.

This was a tough loss for the Jets, but this newfound confidence in Wilson and Hackett is a big win.

Bryce Huff, DE, NY Jets: STUD

I will keep saying it — Bryce Huff needs to play more. Huff has been the Jets' best edge player this season, and it is not close. Per Pro Football Focus, he had seven total pressures on just 18 pass rush snaps. That is amazing efficiency.

Huff played 27 snaps in this game, which is a sizeable increase from the last two weeks, but his role should keep growing. The game only turned around when Huff drew a facemask to force a safety. He was a huge difference-maker in this one.

Huff is not only playing like the Jets' best edge defender but one of the best edge defenders in the NFL. Joe Douglas should try to start signing him to an extension before it is too late. They simply cannot let him walk.

Joe Tippmann, RG, NY Jets: STUD

Joe Tippmann’s second game starting at right guard was another huge success. Tippmann allowed just one pressure on 43 pass-blocking snaps. He also had the highest PFF run-blocking grade on the team (75.8).

Wilson was under pressure on 33.3 percent of his dropbacks, which is still high but the best so far this season. The game plan and the new-look offensive line continuing to mesh helped a lot in this game.

Tippmann has been the perfect addition to an offensive line that desperately needed help.

Dalvin Cook, RB, NY Jets: DUD

One of the few letdowns from this game was Dalvin Cook. The Cook signing was polarizing amongst Jets fans, and it has not worked out so far.

Cook had five attempts for 16 yards and one reception for two yards. Cook looks like he’s moving in slow motion at times and has been one of the least efficient running backs in the NFL.

There is no reason for him to be out there with Breece Hall and even Michael Carter on the team. According to Robert Saleh, Hall might not be on a pitch count anymore, and if that’s true, he needs to be on the field a large majority of the time.

Referees: DUD

You cannot blame a whole game on the referees, as the Jets did make some mistakes and bad decisions along the way.

Saleh was too hesitant on several 4th-and-short situations where it would have been nice to see him more aggressive. Wilson muffed a snap, a couple of drops, and C.J. Mosley missed an interception… but some of those calls/missed calls in this game were too much to ignore.

The no-call on the Mahomes intentional grounding, Jamien Sherwood had his leg grabbed on Isiah Pacheco’s long touchdown run, Jermaine Johnson was held on the 3rd-and-22 that Mahomes would eventually pick up, and then the hold call on Sauce Gardner. 

All of those calls and more should/could have gone the other way and would have led to a much different outcome. The Jets did get a few questionable calls to go their way as well, but it feels like the Jets will soon be getting another apology from the NFL like they did in Week 2.