NY Jets studs, duds following the loss to the Vikings in Week 13

The NY Jets lost a heartbreaking game to the Minnesota Vikings this week by a final score of 27-22. In a game that got out of hand early, the Jets fought all the way back and had multiple chances to win the game but could not convert.

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

Mike White, QB, NY Jets - STUD

Mike White played really well for the second week in a row. White threw for 369 yards with one rushing touchdown and two interceptions, but anyone who watched the game can tell how good of a game he had, especially in the second half.

White helped the Jets fight back and put the game-winning touchdown right into Braxton Berrios’ chest, but he could not bring it in.

If White keeps playing like this, he should not only be the starter over Zach Wilson for the rest of the season but also be in contention to be the starting quarterback next season.

Garrett Wilson, WR, NY Jets - STUD

Garrett Wilson put together another amazing game. Wilson had eight catches for 162 yards and now has 790 receiving yards on the season. Wilson is on pace to have the best season for a Jets rookie wide receiver ever.

Wilson has played with three different quarterbacks now and has shown flashes with all three, but has really come to life with Mike White under center.

The Jets had two top-10 picks in the NFL draft and got a No. 1 cornerback and No. 1 wide receiver for the future. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Zonovan Knight, RB, NY Jets - STUD

With Breece Hall and Michael Carter both out, Zonovan Knight looked amazing yet again this week. Knight had 15 carries for 90 yards and five catches for 28 yards.

Knight has been a diamond in the rough for the Jets' offense, which needed a jolt, and between him and Mike White, they certainly got one.

Knight was one of the Jets' highest-graded players from Pro Football Focus this week with an 81.0 grade.

Red Zone Offense, NY Jets - DUD

The Jets' offense was able to move the ball down the field consistently against the Vikings' defense, but what they did after that was the problem. The Jets made it to the red zone six times but were only able to score one touchdown.

Greg Zuerlein made five field goals, including a franchise record 60-yarder, but the Jets cannot afford to settle for so many field goals and expect to win. Similarly, the Jets were 3-for-16 on third-down conversions.

So what was the issue in these situations? Was it Mike White? Mike LaFleur? The rest of the offense? I think it was a little of everything.

LaFleur could have been better, but there were plays that had guys open, like the Berrios drop. There were other plays that did not work for other reasons, but overall, the whole offense needs to clean things up in the red zone.

Red Zone/Third-Down Defense - NY Jets

Unlike the Jets, the Vikings converted a lot in these high-pressure situations. The Vikings converted touchdowns on all three trips to the red zone that they had. They also converted on third down 9-of-18 times.

The Jets' defense has had trouble getting off the field on third downs, and those problems continued today.

The Jets are really close to being a good team, but they need to clean things up on both sides of the ball in these situations to be able to consistently compete with good teams.

Overall 

The Jets should have won this game against a very good Vikings team. In a playoff race, there is no such thing as moral victories, but the Jets had no quit in them and fought all the way back.

If Mike White can keep playing as he has, the Jets are a team that nobody will want to run into. The Jets will look to take down the Bills again next week in Buffalo.