Christmas Monday Game Balls for Jets' Win over Washington
It went from Christmas miracle to potential nightmare before Christmas. Then, it ended in triumph and joy.
The New York Jets blew a 20-point lead, only to win on a last-minute 54-yard field goal on Christmas Eve at MetLife Stadium.
"It was fun, it wasn't fun, then it was fun again," said Jets' quarterback Trevor Siemian after earning his 14th career win as an NFL starter.
The 30-28 victory over the Washington Commanders saved the Jets from embarrassment in their home finale. As for the top performers who made it a Merry Christmas in the Meadowlands, Jets Country has awarded its customary three game balls.
OFFENSE: Breece Hall, RB 🏈
Hall delivered a gift for any fantasy manager who showed faith in the second-year running back despite recent struggles. The 2022 second-round draft pick had not exceeded the 50-yard rushing mark in any of his last nine appearances before erupting on Christmas Eve.
The dynamic ball carrier rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns en-route to totaling 191 yards from scrimmage. Hall, who has made at least five receptions in five of his last six games, caught a season-high 12 passes for 96 yards powering the Jets to a season-high 26 first downs.
"Breece was awesome today, both in the run game and the pass game," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh.
Hall had three touches on the final drive of the game and his 14-yard reception advanced the ball into Washington territory ahead of the game-winning kick. One play earlier, he moved the chains with a five-yard run on 3rd-and-1.
"He's so special, man. He's the best in the league and I can't wait for the world to be able to see that. That was just a glimpse of that today," said wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Per CBS Sports, Hall gained at least 95 yards rushing and 95 yards receiving in the same game for the second time in his career. The late Walter Payton, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, is responsible for the most such performances in NFL history with three.
RB Breece Hall reaches the ball inside of the pylon for a touchdown vs. the Commanders
© Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK
DEFENSE: Jermaine Johnson, DE 🏈
Linebacker Quincy Williams and slot cornerback Michael Carter II were noticeably productive against the Commanders, but Johnson looked like an absolute uncaged beast at multiple junctures in the game. The second-year edge rusher has raised his performance this season as his reps have increased.
In Week 16, he recorded two solo stops, two quarterback hits and one pass deflection. The Johnson-led pass rush harassed starter Sam Howell on nearly every dropback, forcing Washington to bench their quarterback after going 6-of-22 passing for 56 yards.
Johnson pressured Howell on the second snap of the game, leading to an interception by safety Tony Adams. On Washington's next possession, Johnson helped forced a three-and-out by stopping running back Antonio Gibson on second down. Next, on the Commanders' subsequent punting attempt, Johnson was shot out of cannon and blocked the kick. It gave the Jets the ball at the opponent's 9-yard line and they cashed in a touchdown to take a 10-0 lead.
"Frustration on the defensive side. That’s not our standard. So, I got to go watch the tape, we all got to watch the tape and figure out what went wrong because that’s not the standard," said Johnson on the second-half lapses that allowed Washington back into the game.
With the team trailing, 28-27, in the final 2:00, Johnson was in on the third-down tackle that allowed the Jets' offense to get one more possession.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Greg Zuerlein, K 🏈
There was plenty of special teams brilliance from the Jets in this win, but none of it would've mattered had Zuerlein not calmly nailed the game-winning 54-yard field goal like a silent assassin. With the Jets' trailing by 1 point, Greg the Leg delivered the go-ahead kick with 00:05 remaining.
"It felt like the same thing as any other drive, really. I just get my kicks into the net and wait for the opportunity," said Zuerlein after the dramatic victory.
Zuerlein was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts on Christmas Eve. For the season, he has made all 25 three-point attempts from inside of 50 yards. He has missed only one of six kicks from beyond 50 yards. His 96.8 FG conversion percentage is second best in the NFL behind only Dallas' Brandon Aubrey.
"He’s arguably one of the better kickers in the league," said Saleh. "It was almost as if there was no chance he was going to miss that ball. He’s been in that situation so much in his life."
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