Sports Illustrated Features Jets in Winner's Circle Again

Gang Green's defense shares spotlight with Cleveland Browns in Week 6 aftermath

The New York Jets made their second straight appearance in Sports Illustrated's weekly NFL winners column. 

Last week, it was offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett claiming the spotlight. This week, it's Gang Green's defense. 

SI scribe Gilberto Manzano tabbed the Jets' and the Browns' defenses as Week 6 Winners. Both teams knocked off previously-unbeaten opponents thanks to difference-makers on defense.

In the Jets' case, Robert Saleh's crew locked down the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles while intercepting quarterback Jalen Hurts three times. The Green & White also recorded three interceptions in a Week 1 win over Josh Allen and the Bills. When Patrick Mahomes visited MetLife Stadium, Gang Green picked off the 2022 NFL MVP twice and limited him to a paltry 63.6 quarterback rating.

"Through these first six weeks, we have played a gauntlet of quarterbacks. I know we haven’t won them all, but we’ve embarrassed all of them. Just really, really proud of the defense and their resolve," said Saleh following the 20-14 triumph over the Eagles.

Hurts, Mahomes and Allen have combined for three touchdown passes and eight interceptions against the Jets' defense. On Sunday against Philadelphia, cornerback Bryce Hall, safety Tony Adams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams all picked off Hurts.

"The Browns, Jets, Raiders and Lions have done plenty of losing over the years, but they were all winners in Week 6. Times have changed," wrote Manzano. 

From NFL Week 6 Winners and Losers:

Jets’ and Browns’ defenses

After the Browns contained the 49ers’ star-studded offense, it was up for debate whether they had the best defense in the league. I said yes, but that was before the Jets’ defense held down Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. 

I still slightly favor the Browns over the Jets because they have star edge rusher Myles Garrett and the best secondary in the league. (They haven’t allowed more than 200 passing yards in a game this season.) 

But the Jets have plenty of talent and have embarrassed most of the quarterbacks they have faced this season, as Robert Saleh mentioned in his news conference after handing the Eagles their first loss of the season. It was also impressive how New York played without All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was sidelined with a concussion. 

I’ll stop debating here, and point out the Jets (3–3) and Browns (3–2) will likely have a chance in every game thanks to their dominant defenses. But they’re going to need their respective offenses to play better for a chance at making the postseason in a competitive AFC.

— Gilberto Manzano

The Jets and the Browns will have to wait until Week 17 to settle Manzano's debate on the field. The two teams are slated to clash in Cleveland on the December 28 edition of Thursday Night Football.

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