Week 15 was a nightmare for the New York Jets. The team looked flat and out-coached, ultimately getting shut out 30-0 and seeing their playoff hopes officially end. Injuries once again took a toll on the Jets, particularly at the quarterback position. The Jets also emptied their bench late in the game with the game out of reach.
We’ll take a look at the snap counts from Sunday’s game to see how the snaps were distributed in what became the last meaningful game of the season for the Jets.
Offense
#Jets snap counts (offense): This group produced 103 total yards. Nuff said. pic.twitter.com/wGjTdlDcQg
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 18, 2023
The big story from the game was the concussion suffered by quarterback Zach Wilson — or at least the series of injuries before he was diagnosed with a concussion. Wilson left the game just before halftime with what was initially described as dehydration before being labeled a head injury that wasn’t a concussion to finally a concussion.
In the end, Wilson played 22 of the 58 offensive snaps with Trevor Siemian playing the rest of the way. At least the entire offensive line played the entire game…for better or for worse, mostly for worse.
It looks like Allen Lazard is back as the No. 2 wide receiver after playing 90% of the snaps Sunday compared to 69% for Xavier Gipson. Lazard even had his first catch in about a month.
With the game out of hand, the Jets were able to give more work to Israel Abanikanda, who ended up playing 12 more snaps (22) than Dalvin Cook (10). With the playoff chase over, now is the time for the Jets to get Abanikanda more involved in the offense to start getting him ready for 2024.
Defense
#Jets snap counts (defense): They emptied the bench in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/xFcslmLYNc
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 18, 2023
Quinton Jefferson suffered an early injury so players like Solomon Thomas and Jalyn Holmes saw more work as a result. Similar case at the safety position. Ashtyn Davis saw a few extra snaps in place of Jordan Whitehead and Tony Adams — more of the latter — as both were off the field for a few plays after minor injuries. Both were able to return.
John Franklin-Myers continues to be limited by his ankle injury, or the Jets are at least taking it easy with him. 14 snaps Sunday also helped opened the door for Holmes to see more work along with Will McDonald, who combined with Quinnen Williams for a sack of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Jets emptied the bench late so players such as Chazz Surratt, Sam Eguavoen and rookie Jarrick Bernard-Converse saw a couple of snaps Sunday.
