Jets Week 6 Awards: Five Standouts Shine After Divisional Loss

When the Jets finally stopped being blow‑outs and actually kept the Patriots within a single touchdown, the scoreboard still read 26‑19 in New England’s favor. It was a loss that pushed the club to 2‑4, but it also sparked a little ceremony in the locker room.

Every Friday night, the organization hands out a handful of internal awards – a tradition meant to reward grit, growth, and, yes, occasional embarrassment. This week’s slate featured five names, plus a couple of coaches who, frankly, made things harder than they needed to be.

“Welcome to the NFL” Award – Omar Cooper Jr. The rookie wide‑out missed the first four games with an ankle sprain, leaving many wondering if he’d ever get back to his preseason hype. On Sunday he answered the doubts with six catches, 105 yards and a spectacular 48‑yard touchdown. A second score was wiped out by a penalty, but even the NFL’s official Twitter feed couldn’t hide his excitement. “He’s a play‑maker who makes the hard catches look easy,” quarterback Geno Smith said, noting that Cooper’s return could be a turning point for the offense.

“Hustle” Award – Jamien Sherwood and David Bailey While New England’s ground game rolled over the Jets (148 yards, 5.6 yards per carry), the defensive side saw two gritty performances. Bailey, a rookie edge‑rusher, forced a fumble early in the third quarter – a reminder that impact isn’t always measured in sacks. Sherwood, the veteran linebacker who had struggled early in the season, turned it around with 11 tackles, a tackle‑for‑loss, a QB hit and a fumble recovery. His chase down the field to strip a deep pass will be replayed in Jets’ highlight reels for a while.

“You Cost Them the Game” Award – Head Coach Aaron Glenn and Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich This one stings a little more. Glenn’s decision‑making – from a questionable challenge on a first‑down throw to a botched fourth‑down attempt – kept the team from capitalizing on momentum. Reich’s play‑calling didn’t help; his back‑to‑back runs on third‑ and fourth‑and‑one inside Patriots territory felt like a relic from a bygone era. The Jets had a chance to swing the drive with a short pass, but instead they dug their heels in and watched the clock run out.

“Franklin, Can You Come Out of Your Shell Yet?” Award – Geno Smith The numbers look decent on paper: a 69 % completion rate, 1,336 yards, seven touchdowns and a single interception. Yet the offense ranks near the bottom of the league in yards (26th) and points (27th). Critics argue that Smith is being told to play it safe, especially after leading the league in interceptions over the past two seasons. The consensus? Let him throw deeper, trust his arm, and stop the endless three‑and‑out series that have left the Jets under 20 points in three straight games.

“Point of No Return” Award – Garrett Wilson The star receiver saw just six targets all night, a frustratingly low number for a player who should be the focal point of any passing attack. Post‑game, Wilson’s visible disappointment hinted at a larger frustration: the offense simply isn’t getting to him when it matters. If the Jets want to get back on track, they’ll need to design more plays that get Wilson the ball in space.

In short, Sunday’s loss was a bitter pill, but the awards night reminded everyone that there are bright spots worth nurturing. Whether it’s a rookie’s breakout, a linebacker’s resurgence, or a coach’s harsh reality check, the Jets have a few ingredients to build on as they head deeper into the season.