The New York Jets are sitting at 2-3 after the first five weeks of the NFL season, and they still have a shot to end the longest postseason drought in North American Sports. After losing Aaron Rodgers in the first drive of the season, many thought this team was done.
Robert Saleh's defense has allowed them to keep their hopes alive, as they have forced nine turnovers in five games. They've forced some of the game's best quarterbacks to struggle, as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Russel Wilson have all fumbled the ball against New York this season. They also picked off Allen three times, and Mahomes twice.
With Zach Wilson looking like he's improving week by week, the Jets might have a legitimate shot at sneaking into the postseason. Today's game is all about offense, but it's the defense that's ready to win right now.
The defense is loaded with starts, which gives the defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich a lot to work with. Having a stacked defensive line along with one of the best cornerbacks in football helps tremendously.
Sauce Gardner is off to a stellar start, which is one of the reasons this defense is performing at a high level. It's not just him though, as there are two other emerging stars wreaking havoc for New York.
3. Sauce Gardner, CB
Gardner has had high expectations since being selected with the fourth-overall pick in 2022 by the Jets. Since then, he's done nothing but perform at an elite level.
The opposing team's quarterbacks are sometimes scared to throw the ball his way, but when they do it usually doesn't work out. It makes sense why quarterbacks are hesitant to throw to receivers he's covering, as he led the NFL with 20 passes defended a season ago.
Over the last three weeks, Gardner has only allowed seven catches for 59 yards. As long as he's on the field, the Jets will have a chance to shut down any top receiver.
With the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles set to come to New York, it gives the chance for Gardner and the defense to show the world how great they can be. A few weeks ago this game might've seemed like a long shot for the Jets to win, but in the last two weeks, they've been a much-improved team.
For New York to pull off an upset, they're going to need Gardner to create problems against one of the best offenses in football. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense ranks second in total yards this season; which grants Gardner the opportunity to prove why he's one of the best corners in the league.
2. Quincy Williams, LB
The 27-year-old linebacker has arguably been the Jets' best defensive player throughout the first five weeks of the season. Quincy Williams has 38 solo tackles throughout the first five weeks, which is good for second in the entire NFL.
Against the Broncos in Week 5, he was all over the field. He was able to sack Wilson twice and even forced a scoop and score fumble that sealed the win.
Saleh's defense is loaded with stars, as Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, and Sauce are all elite talents. This season though, it's the former Murray State linebacker that's the game changer so far.
If Williams continues to play at an elite level throughout the rest of the season, the Jets defense will be one of the most dangerous ones in the league.
1. Jermaine Johnson, DE
In 2022 when the Jets had three first-round picks, Sauce and Garrett Wilson overshadowed the selection of Jermaine Johnson. Last season Jets fans saw glimpses of the talent he attains, but this season it's starting to show consistently.
Against Denver in Week 5, the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year might've played his best game as a pro. He forced a fumble, pressured the quarterback five times, and recorded a sack.
When New York drafted Johnson in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they had high hopes of their defensive line becoming a serious threat. If Johnson continues to improve, he could become one of the best pass rushers in football.
New York already has Williams on the defensive line, who was selected to the All-Pro team in 2022 for recording over 12 sacks. If Johnson lives up to the hype, that would give New York two elite pass rushers on the line.