[jwplayer DAaKdsxo-ThvAeFxT]
The Jets have been an easy matchup for players to exploit in 2020.
New York is the NFL’s only winless midway through the season. It has been stagnant on offense and extremely underwhelming defensively, affording opponents the opportunity to have big games on a weekly basis. As expected, Patrick Mahomes did just that last weekend, throwing for five touchdowns en route to AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
And he is not the only one who has taken hardware home at Gang Green’s expense.
Mahomes is the fifth Jets opponent to win Player of the Week. Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week after picking Sam Darnold off twice in Week 3. Broncos kicker Brandon McManus followed suit in Week 4 by going three-for-three on field goals and making all four of his extra-point attempts. Kyler Murray became the first NFC player to get the best of the Jets for the award, throwing for 380 yards and a touchdown to go along with a score on the ground in Week 5. Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes took home Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in Week 7.
It’s no secret that the Jets are the worst team in football at this point in the season, but the fact that five players in eight weeks have taken advantage of the matchup to perform better than any other player in their conference is staggering, to say the least. Frankly, it perfectly sums up New York’s overall ineptitude in 2020.
The ice-cold Patriots come to town on Monday night, but squaring off against the Jets typically has the same effect as a dose of Robitussin. Considering New York’s recent history against New England, it would come as no surprise if a Patriots player breaks out with a player of the week-caliber performance in Week 9.