For the first time this season, the Jets were involved in a game that needed overtime to decide it. In the end they would fall short to the Packers 44-38, dropping their record to 4-11. Here's how it all looked in terms of playing time.
OFFENSE
The Jets ran 60 plays on offense against Green Bay (down from a season-high 72 the previous week). For the first time since Week 13 in Tennessee, the Jets had six players in on every offensive snap. Quarterback Sam Darnold, in his third game back from injury, threw for a career best 341 yards to go with three touchdown passes. Darnold's 24 completions were one off his season high (25 in Week 2 vs. Miami). He also played his second straight turnover-free game. For the season, the rookie now has 17 touchdowns to go with 15 interceptions.
A first-time set of starters debuted on the offensive line against the Packers. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum, left guard Spencer Long, center Jonotthan Harrison, right guard Brian Winters and right tackle Brent Qvale (filling in for injured Brandon Shell) played every snap on offense.. Last week, Qvale saw action on 52 percent of the snaps after Shell departed the game.
With Quincy Enunwa sidelined for the second consecutive game, it was fellow wide receiver Robby Anderson that once again led all skill position players in playing time. Anderson was in on all but four plays (56 of 60, 93%), as he hauled in a season-best nine grabs for 140 yards and a score. The third-year pro has now found the end zone in three straight games. Jermaine Kearse had his most productive afternoon so far in the month of December with four catches for 55 yards. Kearse was in on 34 snaps (57%), before departing with an injury. Anderson and Kearse were the only two receivers that registered catches on the afternoon. Deontay Burnett saw his first action since Week 9 in Miami, appearing in 37 percent of the snaps (22 of 60), but was held without a catch.
The workload at the running back position was split between Elijah McGuire (51 snaps, 85%) and Trenton Cannon (18 plays, 30%). For McGuire, the 85 percent represents a season-high in terms of playtime percentage. The second-year back totaled 85 yards on the day and scored a pair of touchdowns (four in the last three games).
Rookie tight end Chris Herndon turned in another strong performance. The rookie led all tight ends with 39 of 60 snaps, for 65 percent. Sunday marked the third consecutive game Herndon's playtime percentage decreased (76% vs. Buffalo, 69% vs. Houston). However, his production hasn't suffered, as he pulled in six catches for 82 yards and a score against the Packers. The touchdown was the rookie's first since Week 8 in Chicago. Fellow tight end Jordan Leggett made it seven straight games with a catch, seeing the field on 16 snaps (27%).
DEFENSE
As for the defense, four players were in on all 91 snaps. Last week, the 53 plays run by the Texans were the fewest by a Jets opponent. The 91 by Green Bay marked the most plays a team has run against the Green and White this season.
Avery Williamson, Jamal Adams, Morris Claiborne and Neville Hewitt played the entire game for the Jets defense. The Packers game marked the seventh consecutive contest that both Williamson (8 tackles, 2 PD) and Adams (team-high ten tackles) have been in on every defensive play. Adams missed one snap versus Chicago in Week 8 or else the streak would be longer. Darryl Roberts (three tackles) and Trumaine Johnson (seven tackles) both appeared in all but one snap as well.
Hewitt's time on the field has considerably grown during the last few weeks. Through the first 12 games of the season, Hewitt had appeared in only 15 snaps on defense. Two weeks ago in Buffalo he was given 82 percent of the workload, followed by 81 percent against the Texans and all 91 defensive snaps versus the Packers. Hewitt rewarded the coaches' faith, turning in his best game of the season against Green Bay with nine tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits.
Along the defensive line, Henry Anderson was top participant among the group for the first time this season. Anderson was in on 73 of 91 snaps (80%) and registered four tackles, one sack (fourth in last two games), one tackle for loss and a pair of quarterback hits. Leonard Williams was ejected from the game in the second quarter, but not before seeing action on 23 plays (25%) and picking up a sack and a pair of quarterback hits. Tarell Basham received 17 snaps (19%), his most since Week 10 against Buffalo (22 plays) and contributed a QB hit on Aaron Rodgers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
On special teams, Brandon Copeland and Rontez Miles led the way with 27 plays. Terrence Brooks wasn't far behind with 29 snaps. However, the star of the unit was Pro Bowler Andre Roberts. Roberts averaged 50.8 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 99-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Fellow Pro Bowler, Jason Myers, was one for two on field goal tries and a perfect 5 of 5 on extra point tries.
