The New York Jets returned to the field on Sunday for a showdown with one of the AFC’s top teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game came on the heels of the Jets’ rough performance against their division rival, the Miami Dolphins, last week. Unfortunately for the Jets, they wouldn’t fare any better against the Jaguars, as their defense decided to take a week off, getting blown out by Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, 48-20.
Brady Cook got the start for the Jets in this one. Cook finished the game passing for 176 yards, completing 22 of his 33 passes. However, despite a touchdown pass, Cook’s downfall came in the interception department, yet again, as he threw three in this one. Adonai Mitchell continued to fit into his new offense quite well, leading the team with six receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown. So, who are three Jets who deserve praise in this downright bad loss to Jacksonville?
Offense: Isaiah Davis, RB
Look away, Breece Hall fantasy owners (I feel your pain… I own him in fantasy too), but this was a game that Hall would like to forget. He rushed for 23 yards on 12 carries and caught the ball twice for just 14 yards. A brutal performance. A large part of Hall’s lack of production was due to the emergence of the Jets’ backup running back, Isaiah Davis. If you had Davis having a breakout game in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, play lotto right now.
First rushing TD of the season for Isaiah Davis 💪
NYJvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/213HMro9dC
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025
Davis finished the game with nine carries for 58 yards, including rushing for one rushing touchdown. He also was a (minor) threat through the air, as he hauled in one pass for seven yards. Davis’s 58 yards led the team and allowed Davis to do more than his part to play a big role on the Jets’ offense in this one. In a game where Hall was healthy but couldn’t get anything going, Davis stepped up in unbelievable ways to find the endzone.
Early in the fourth quarter, when the Jets were down 41-13, Davis broke free for a 24-yard run to get into the endzone. The game was all but put away, but this was a great momentum builder heading into next week. Davis’s 24-yard run was his longest of the day, and arguably his best of the day. Davis is an underutilized asset for the Jets, and he played a significant role in preventing this game from being a complete blowout. Nonetheless, the Jets’ offense still sputtered out and couldn’t get much going against Jacksonville.
Defense: Brandon Stephens, CB
The Jets’ defense was absolutely abysmal in this one. Trevor Lawrence had no issues carving up the Jets’ defense, throwing for 330 yards and five touchdowns. To make matters worse, the Jets’ rush defense was no better as Lawrence ran for 51 yards and picked up a touchdown on the ground. The Jets had no chance in this one to slow down the Jaguars’ explosive offense, and their defense ultimately cost them the game. The best player in a terrible situation on Sunday was Jets’ cornerback Brandon Stephens.
Brandon Stephens forces the fumble and Malachi Moore picks it up pic.twitter.com/BibA006R48
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 14, 2025
Stephens finished the game with five total tackles, which was good enough for third-most on the team. This may come as a bit of a surprise considering how badly Stephens started the season, but to say he’s turned it around would be a huge understatement. Stephens went from being one of the worst defensive players on this unit to one of the best, and it’s easy to see why. The turnaround in him has been quite fun to watch.
With the game all but put away, the Jaguars were driving down the field with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Stephens forced a fumble from Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown, which was scooped up by Malachi Moore. Sadly, it wouldn’t make much of a difference as Brady Cook threw an interception during the Jets’ drive, so there was no way they would capitalize on this turnover. However, it was still very nice to see the Jets actually get a turnover after still having zero interceptions on the season.
Special Teams: Isaiah Williams, WR/PR
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Isaiah Williams looked great. Last week, Williams finished the game against Miami with two kick returns for 69 yards, and three punt returns for 91 yards, including one touchdown and a long of 78 yards. Williams looked to continue to build off of his recent performances. Williams only had one punt return for nine yards in this one, but not everything is what it seems.
While the Jets were down 21-7 in the middle of the second quarter, Williams broke free for a 49-yard touchdown on a punt return. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the Jets would call it all back and nix it completely. However, despite it not counting, Williams’s prowess as a punt returner was on full display in that one return. He’s easily one of the best returners in the league, and it’s very easy to see why.
Jets get hosed on an awful call… but my god is Isaiah Williams an unbelievable returner. Should be an all pro. pic.twitter.com/AC8XK9v9U8
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) December 14, 2025
On top of his return game, Williams also tied for the team lead in receptions with six, and picked up 53 yards through the air, which was good enough for second on the team. Williams has had quite the turnaround on the Jets, and fans have a lot to be excited about. Who knows, Williams could have secured his special teams spot here for next season already.
