3 Takeaways from Jets' Week 16 Win vs. Commanders
The New York Jets won one of the more topsy-turvy games of Week 16.
New York used a last-second field goal from Greg Zuerlein to down the Washington Commanders 30-28.
The Jets rushed out to a 20-point lead, but then Washington's quarterback change to Jacoby Brissett sparked a comeback from the visitors at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Saleh's side blew a pair of 20-point advantages, but it found a way to finish off a game in the fourth quarter.
The Jets' ability to close seemed more important on Sunday because Saleh's status for next season was confirmed before the game.
The final-minute comeback proved the Jets will still fight for Saleh to end the 2023 season and going into the 2024 campaign.
Win Was Important for Robert Saleh
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Jets owner Woody Johnson went public to the New York Post with the decision to keep Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas prior to Sunday's game.
A loss in the way in which it would have happened would have been brutal timing for the franchise.
Instead, the Jets rallied around each other and fought to earn a victory, which is something other teams already eliminated from the postseason can't claim.
Most teams would have given up after conceding three straight second-half touchdowns. Washington's comeback was sparked by the decision to bench Sam Howell in favor of Brissett.
However, the Jets mustered up just enough offense on their final drive to avoid the humiliation of a loss of that manner to one of the three worst teams in the league.
Sunday's win meant nothing to the standings, but it carried a ton of importance for how the team will fight under Saleh moving forward.
Breece Hall Had Best Game of Season
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Breece Hall was a menace to the Washington defense all afternoon.
Hall carried the ball 20 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns and also recorded 96 receiving yards on 12 catches.
Washington had no answers for the Jets' top running back all game. Hall's dominance started early on a 36-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Hall finished the game with 32 of the Jets' 63 offensive touches between the rushing and receiving games.
It is an extraordinarily high number for a running back, but the Jets had to keep feeding the hot hand against an awful defense.
Hall's final catch set up Zuerlein's game-winning kick, as he moved the Jets 14 yards down to the Washington 39-yard-line with 22 seconds left.
Hall was massive for the Jets offense, and on the weekend Saleh's return was confirmed, the running back proved he can be a foundational piece for the franchise.
Jets Defense Had Erratic Performance
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The Jets looked like they were on the way to their best defensive showing of the season in the first quarter.
New York picked off Howell on the second play of the game and then blocked a punt on the next series.
The Commanders then punted on four straight occasions with none of those series covering more than 30 yards.
The Jets appeared to have the best defensive showing of Week 16 locked up, but then they were carved apart by Brissett and the energy he brought to the Commanders offense.
Washington scored on three straight drives, a run that was started by its own interception of Trevor Siemian.
The Jets could do nothing to slow down Washington's momentum until the away side went ahead in the fourth quarter.
Sunday's game showed that the Jets still have a ton of talent on defense, but that that unit also has to be more consistent to win games.
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