2014 Spotlight Performances
Check Out the Top Plays of the Season
The Jets held a 13-7 lead over the Raiders in the fourth quarter of the season opener when RB Chris Ivory took a handoff from Geno Smith and ran off LG Brian Winters for a 71-yard TD, the longest run of his career. The score pushed the Jets out in front 19-7 after a failed two-point conversion.
Trailing 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter, the Jets needed a spark and found it in the form of RB Chris Johnson. CJ received the handoff and was initially slowed by a Lions defender. He kept his balancen and turned on the burners for a 35-yard TD to bring the Jets to within one score.
The Broncos took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal set up by a 54-yard connection between QB Peyton Manning and WR Demaryius Thomas on the first play of the game. Two possessions later, the Jets took advantage of a roughing the passer penalty to extend their drive. Four plays later TE Jace Amaro, split out wide left, ran a fade route with one-one-one coverage from Broncos S T.J. Ward. Amaro made a leaping grab and kept both feet in for his first TD as a pro. Amaro had a career day that October afternoon, catching 10 passes for 68 yards and that TD. He became the first Jets tight end to catch 10 passes since 1994.
The Jets dominated the trenches in this Thursday night game on Oct. 16, rushing for 218 yards while holding the Pats to 63. RB Chris Ivory was a big part of the game plan, responsible for 107 yards at 5.1 yards/carry. After settling for four first-half field goals from K Nick Folk, the Jets came out rolling in the second half. On a second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Ivory took the handoff and went airborne, stretching his arms for a touchdown that gave the Jets a 19-17 lead.
No one played as big a role as S Jaiquawn Jarrett did in the Jets ending their 8-game losing streak as the Green & White went on to defeat the Black & Gold, 20-13. The former second-round pick had a game for the ages, coming away with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a sack and nine tackles. For his performance Jarrett was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
The Jets rushed for 277 yards against the Dolphins during a Monday night matchup on Dec. 1, 20 of which came on an end-around to WR Greg Salas for the game's first score. It was Salas' first pro TD and only the second rush of his career.
QB Geno Smith threw a pick-6 on the first play of the game to give the Vikings a quick lead. The ensuing Jets possession stalled in Vikings territory, but P Ryan Quigley pinned the opponent deep in their territory. A false start pushed the Vikings back to their 6 yard line. Two plays later, DT Sheldon Richardson Richardson and OLB Jason Babin ran a stunt that gave Richardson a step on Vikings OT Matt Kalil. Richardson was able to get to Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater in the end zone for a safety, his first of three sacks on the afternoon. The safety cut the Vikings lead to 7-2. Which led to the following play.
On a third-and-six on the Jets' ensuing possession after a free kick, QB Geno Smith threw a pass intended for WR Percy Harvin, who had to make a mid-stride adjustment to locate the ball. He turned his body and came down with it for his first receiving TD since 2012. Harvin finished the game – his return to Minnesota – with six catches for 124 yards and that touchdown.
Trailing, 17-16, with 7:26 remaining in the game, OLB Jason Babin got pressure and hit Patriots QB Tom Brady as he attempted a pass to WR Brandon LaFell, who deflected the ball into the air. CB Marcus Williams was able to track it and come down with the interception to set the Jets up with good field position. The interception was a highlight of Williams' rookie season, which began in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished his rookie campaign with 37 tackles and seven pass defenses.
With the Jets up three points with 4:19 to go in the game and in their territory, the Green & White lined up to punt the ball away to the Dolphins. Instead, P Ryan Quigley threw a dart to TE Zach Sudfeld, who rumbled down the field for gain of 38 yards. The play swung momentum to the Jets and on the next play QB Geno Smith threw a touchdown to TE Jeff Cumberland. On the sideline before the fake punt Smith gave Quigley some pointers: "It was beautiful, we talked about it, I coached him up a little bit and he followed through. He's got some talent."
