Full New York Jets Awards at the Quarter Mark of the 2014 NFL Season
It hasn't been a great start for the New York Jets in 2014.
After a bumpy home win over the lowly Oakland Raiders in Week 1, the Jets have lost three consecutive games by one touchdown to NFC North opponents.
New York's been committing the same mistakes that have cost the team in the past. Key turnovers, questionable play-calling and a weak secondary have doomed Gang Green to date, and it's anyone's guess whether Rex Ryan's troops can improve in these areas and turn their season around.
Despite the rough start, the Jets have gotten some great performances out of some players, as well as some disappointing ones from others.
Click through to see full awards for the Green and White through the first four games of the season.
MVP: Muhammad Wilkerson
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Muhammad Wilkerson is the best player the Jets have to offer, so it's no surprise he's the team's most valuable player through the quarter mark of the season.
After recording 63 tackles and 10.5 sacks a year ago, Wilkerson is off to a scorching start in 2014. He only notched three tackles in the first two weeks, but he's rebounded to rack up 13 tackles and three sacks against the Bears and Lions.
The former first-round pick is the main reason the Jets currently lead the league in sacks, as he creates mayhem in the backfield on seemingly every other down and requires constant attention from opposing offensive lines.
Oh, and let's not forget what Wilkerson contributes in the rushing game. He's among one of the best run-stopping defensive ends in football, and he's a key reason Gang Green possesses the best rush defense in football.
Outside of J.J. Watt, Wilkerson is far and away the most complete, and perhaps best, defensive lineman in the NFL.
The sky is the ceiling for the 24-year-old, and if the Jets can start stringing together wins, he could build a serious case for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Runner-Up(s): Nick Folk, Chris Ivory, Demario Davis
Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Ivory
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The passing game has been in a state of flux this season, but the offense has still managed to move the ball because of a strong running game.
The Jets currently rank as the second best rushing offense in the league, as they're averaging over 150 yards a game and have managed to eclipse the 100-yard mark in every contest thus far.
Chris Ivory's phenomenal start is the main reason for the team's success in this category.
Ivory has racked up 274 yards on just 50 totes, good for a fantastic 5.5 yards per carry. Despite inconsistent blocking from his line, he's been the only consistent threat on the offensive side of the ball, and he's used his ferocious running style to pick up valuable yards after contact.
The 26-year-old has also been a decent option in the passing attack, catching seven passes for 71 yards and emerging as a solid blocker.
Yes, he's had a key drop or two and missed a few key blocks, but the former undrafted free agent has made the most out of his opportunity this season.
Runner-Up(s): Eric Decker, Nick Mangold
Defensive Player of the Year: Demario Davis
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Muhammad Wilkerson should probably be the winner of this award, too, but for the sake of variety, let's give it to another player who has been extremely impressive through the first quarter.
Coming off a solid, if up-and-down, first season in the starting role, Demario Davis has been the team's most improved players in his third year.
Davis has emerged as a consistent and dangerous playmaker, and he's formed one of the game's most productive inside linebacker duos along with veteran David Harris.
After a quiet Week 1, the former third-round selection has racked up 29 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three stuffs and a fumble recovery in the last three games, and he would have added a defensive touchdown to that already-insane stat line if not for some poor officiating in the Bears game.
The 25-year-old may be headed to his first Pro Bowl if he can continue to perform at such a high level throughout the season.
Runner-Up(s): Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, David Harris
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Least Valuable Player: Brian Winters
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Now, for the not-so-positive awards.
Brian Winters was the Jets' worst offensive lineman a season ago, and it wasn't very close. He really struggled picking up blocking assignments, and he allowed 10 sacks, a league-high for interior linemen.
In his second year as a pro, things haven't been much better for the Kent State product.
Winters has been awful in pass protection and mediocre in run blocking through the first month of the season. He's been beat by opposing pass-rushers several times already, and his mistakes have only intensified the pressure on Geno Smith.
The 23-year-old has become a liability on an otherwise strong offensive line, and it's becoming a question of when, not if, he will be replaced at left guard by a better option.
Runner-Up(s): Geno Smith, Dee Milliner, Antonio Allen
Most Disappointing Player: Dee Milliner
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Dee Milliner has undoubtedly been the most disappointing player in Green and White thus far.
All signs pointed to Milliner having a breakout season. He really came into his own late last year, recording three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in the final two games, and he was confident in his ability this offseason.
Unfortunately, things couldn't have gone much worse for Milliner in 2014.
The second-year man has dealt with a nagging injury throughout the last couple of months, and it's prevented him from playing in three of the team's first four games.
In his only appearance, the Alabama product was horrible, as he was burned by Jordy Nelson on multiple occasions and was a key reason for New York's collapse.
Rex Ryan expressed confidence that Milliner will play in Week 5 against the Chargers, per Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk.
However, it's hard to be optimistic about how Milliner will perform upon his return.
Runner-Up(s): Geno Smith, Chris Johnson, Quinton Coples
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