The Jets got back in the win column thanks to their 27-23 come-from-behind triumph in Buffalo on Sunday. Here's how things looked in terms of playing time.
OFFENSE
The Jets ran 54 plays on offense, the fewest since the 56 they had in their Week 10 setback to these same Bills. Only five Jets played every snap on offense as the starting offensive line of Kelvin Beachum, Spencer Long, Jonotthan Harrison, Brian Winters and Brandon Shell spent the entire afternoon in the trenches. Long returned to the lineup after sitting out last week's game due to illness. Quarterback Sam Darnold was back under center following a three-game absence due to an injured foot. The rookie QB played all but three snaps, completing 16-of-24 passes for 170 yards with a TD and an INT. His pair of 4th quarter scoring drives fueled the comeback win.
For the fifth consecutive game, Quincy Enunwa either led or shared the honors for most on-field time among skill position players. Enunwa saw action in 44 of 54 snaps (81%) and hauled in three grabs for 22 yards. Fellow wideout Robby Anderson had a big day at the office with a team-high four catches for 76 yards, including a seven-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter. Anderson was next up among the wideouts in playing time at 70% (38). Rishard Matthews saw his first action in the offense since Week 10 (3 snaps) and hauled in his first pass as a Jet on a six-yard hookup from Darnold.
As for the tight ends, Chris Herndon once again led the group while receiving 76% of the snaps (41) and brought in one catch for 14 yards. Eric Tomlinson was next up with 21 plays (39%), followed by Jordan Leggett (35%). Leggett had one grab for 13 yards, making it the fifth straight game with a catch for the Clemson product.
With Isaiah Crowell having to depart after just five snaps due to injury, second-year pro Elijah McGuire shouldered the bulk of the workload at running back. McGuire was in on 40 of the snaps (74%), churning out 60 yards on the ground including the eventual game-winning TD run. McGuire has received the majority of the running back reps in four of the past five games since he was activated from injured reserve. Rookie Trent Cannon saw his most substantial action since Week 8 versus Chicago (18, 33%) and totaled seven yards on six touches.
DEFENSE
As for the defense, only three players took part in 100 percent of the action, an indication into how physical a battle it was in Buffalo. Darryl Roberts, Avery Williamson and Jamal Adams appeared in all 76 snaps, marking the second straight week for the trio. Williamson (5 tackles) and Adams (2 QB hits, fumble recovery) have each not missed a snap on defense in five consecutive games. For the fourth time in six contests, Roberts was a full participant on defense.
Trumaine Johnson only missed one snap (99%) and turned in a productive afternoon with two interceptions. Johnson has now picked off three passes the last two weeks and added a pick-six to go with it. For the second straight week, Leonard Williams was in on over 90% of the action (72, 95%). The Big Cat had three tackles, including a pair of QB hits on Josh Allen.
With starting linebacker Darron Lee out due to suspension, Neville Hewitt seized the opportunity by appearing in a season-high 62 snaps (82%), tying for the team lead in tackles with eight along with adding a half sack. Impressive when you consider Hewitt had only been in on a total of 15 snaps through the season's first 12 games. Kevin Pierre-Louis earned a one-game increase in snaps from four to fourteen (14, 18%). KPL made the most of his opportunity with a sack and a pair of QB hits. Fellow linebacker Brandon Copeland was in on 41 snaps, recording three tackles to go with a QB sack. Copeland, who had been slowed by injury the past couple weeks, played in over 50 percent of the snaps (54%) for the first time since Week 10 against Buffalo.
SPECIAL TEAMS
On special teams, it was Rontez Miles and Terrence Brooks leading the way with 23 snaps apiece. Brandon Copeland chipped in with 19 reps, in addition to his workload on defense. Same goes for Kevin Pierre-Louis who added 16 snaps on teams. Throw in another standout performance by return man Andre Roberts, who averaged 35.2 yards on five KO returns. The highlight coming on an 86-yarder in the second quarter, which led to the Jets first touchdown of the afternoon. Jason Myers turned in another perfect afternoon, booting home both field goal tries as well as all three extra point conversions.
