Tony Adams sticks it to Woody Johnson with INT of Matthew Stafford

NY Jets safet Tony Adams may not have had the season either he or the fanbase wanted, but he was an odd scapegoat for meddling owner Woody Johnson. After a string of subpar showings, Johnson reportedly demanded that his coaches remove Adams from the starting lineup.

Adams' spot was seemingly taken for good after Jalen Mills impressed. However, due to an injury, Adams found himself back in the lineup in Week 16 against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Adams did not disappoint, as he made his presence felt early on.

Adams intercepted Stafford as he returned to a starting role, helping the Jets nullify a Rams drive that reached all the way to their territory. Adams' INT had to feel good for the former UDFA, as he is shining right after his owner stepped in to send him to the bench.

Jets DB Tony Adams sticks it to Woody Johnson with INT

While Adams had been playing poorly for parts of the year, especially when it came to his tackling, it seemed odd for him to be held accountable in a way no one else on the roster was. After Mills' hot start, it seemed like Adams was never going to see high-level defensive snaps again.

Adams' play went a long way toward changing hearts and minds. If the purpose of the next few games is all about roster evaluation and figuring out which players will be core pieces going forward, Adams picking off a player who had been playing as well as any NFC QB in Stafford is nice to see.

This came in a game where the Jets also polished off another 99-yard scoring drive that featured Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams linking up for another score, the 499th of his career. While the Rams eventually answered back with a touchdown of their own, this has been an ecnoruaging showing for the Jets.

Adams may not have stepped up in time to help the Jets' playoff chances, but he is showing that he can make plays in this league. Perhaps the 77-year-old heir to a medical fortune doesn't know more about football than NFL coaches.