Jets Country

Jets Opponents Can't Stop Winning Player Of The Week Honors

This trend is becoming hard to ignore...

Max Goodman

Another week in the NFL means another slate of Player of the Week honors have been released, recognizing the best on offense, defense and special teams in both the AFC and NFC.

This season, however, POTW has more often than not translated to JOOTW (Jets Opponent of the Week).

In six of the first nine weeks this year, a player that faced the Jets has won Player of the Week across the NFL. Better yet, in six of the last seven weeks, New York's opponents have been represented on the POTW big board.

For Week 9, Patriots kicker Nick Folk was recognized for a spectacular performance at MetLife Stadium on Monday night. The veteran kicker, recipient of the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday, was perfect on the evening, nailing three field goals, three extra points and of course a 51-yarder as time expired to beat the Jets.

READ: Jets Clinch Worst Start in Franchise History, Collapse in Fourth Quarter Against Patriots

Here are all six players to be recognized for their work against the NFL's worst team:

  • WEEK 3: CB Xavier Rhodes (Colts), AFC Defensive Player of the Week
  • WEEK 4: K Brandon McManus (Broncos), AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
  • WEEK 5: QB Kyler Murray (Cardinals), NFC Offensive Player of the Week

  • WEEK 7: DE Jerry Hughes (Bills), AFC Defensive Player of the Week
  • WEEK 8: QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), AFC Offensive Player of the Week
  • WEEK 9: K Nick Folk (Patriots), AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Two on offense, two on defense and two kickers. That would be tough for other teams to pull off even if they tried.

READ: Jets' Joe Flacco, Jamison Crowder Did the Improbable on Monday Night

For a winless club, it's no surprise that the Jets haven't had any of their own players win a POTW Award yet this year. 

New York's most recent representatives came in 2019. Former Jets safety Jamal Adams in Week 10 and quarterback Sam Darnold in Week 6. Those two weeks featured the Jets first two wins of the season as they started 2-7.

READ: Jets' Sam Darnold Eyes Return From Shoulder Injury: 'It's Still a Day-To-Day Process For Me'

That in mind, it's possible someone on the Jets can earn this type of recognition this year. For now, however, it's those lining up against Gang Green that are taking full advantage of a winless opponent. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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