Game Balls - @ Jets 2025

[Dave Gray]

Ultimately it's going to be McDaniel, because we just came to play and we beat that ass.  When enough goes well, you look to the top.

But I'd like to break it down further.

Early on, I thought it was going to be Tua.  In that 1st quarter, he was seeing the field so well.  His passes were perfect, but it was really his decision-making and the speed and how he was reading and reacting to pressure.  It was masterful.  That fell off.  He didn't make the big mistakes and he still had a good day, but we got more of "regular Tua" later in the game.

Then, Achane was absolutely crushing and when he went out, the backups were crushing, too -- I was prepared to give it to the RBs or the O-line for the running game and protection.  Great day on the ground.

But lastly, the defense was superb.  They essentially gave up 0 points.  7 points came directly from a return and the other 3, if I'm not mistaken, were on the other side of a 4th and 10 fake punt where the defense had already done their job.  Even with that, they held to a FG.  Incredible day from them.

So, good all around.  Good job by McDaniel, not only to call good and interesting plays, but to stick with the run while it was producing.  AND he gave Tua a real chance to get the yips out.  Great day. FTJ.

[Denver2]

I’ll go Oline and HM to coach

[Downunder Dolphan]

From the NFL highlights package:

Ultimately I have to go McDaniel. It was a strong showing both sides of the line, and while it's tempting to award it to Weaver for a defense that dominated all day, it was the start that took it all away from the Jets and that's the whole team. When our offense got on top, there were a lot of creative plays behind it... he had a great day.

There are a few honorable mentions: Achane before he got hurt. Not just his rushing, but the play action opened up everything early on so Tua had wide open targets (which he hit the first 8 times). He was in for a massive day up until his ribs got crunched... the game was in the bag at that stage, so it was smart of McD to pull him aside and wrap him in cotton wool (another reason why I went with Coach for the game ball).

Wright stepped in and had the best game of his career to date. It was pretty much all over for a lot of it, but he still made it count for a 100+ yard rushing game which is something to build on in future.

Of the O-Line, its hard to ignore Paul. Go back and look at that last TD by Gordon... Paul, Brewer, Hill and Waddle do great sealing blocks, Savaiinaea gets blown up, but still gets enough of a chip for Gordon to just squeak by... then Paul becomes a one man tush-push, hauling Gordon plus 3-4 defenders to the goal line, and Savaiinaea comes in late and gets all of them into the end zone. Awesome power play.

On defense, it was a great day all around, but especially for Douglas. If he stays, he could be a solid veteran corner to build the missing pieces around...

I should also mention that Bonnar saved himself SOG from that especially shitty display in the punt return for a TD with that late INT... and Patterson was reliable again kickin' through the sticks.  

[CF DolFan]

The offense stalled mightily after the first quarter but the defense kept putting up great numbers. Zach Sieler had 2.5 sacks and that's hard to beat.

[Sibster]

Sieler for sure.   He terrorized that UDFA QB all game long.  That guy looked like he was gonna piss in his pants.

[masterfins]

Same as every week, Achane.  Achane lit them up in the 1st quarter and then pretty much nothing after that by the offense until very late in the game.

[dolphins4life]

Patterson