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After snapping a three-game losing streak with a gritty 17-12 win over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, the New York Jets are now focusing on a Week 6 showdown with the New England Patriots. The victory has provided a spark of optimism for a team that has a chance to build momentum in a division that has historically been unkind to them.
Since 2011, the Jets have posted a dismal 25-65 record against AFC East foes and an even more troubling 4-26 mark against the Patriots. However, their Week 5 performance against Cleveland showed signs of progress, and they now have an opportunity to make necessary adjustments and carry that momentum into a crucial divisional game.
With Breece Hall out due to a right quad injury, Braelon Allen stepped up with a career-best 116 rushing yards on 24 carries, including a game-winning 22-yard touchdown. While Allen's breakout game has boosted his stock, there is a strong case for fellow running back and 2024 draftee Isaiah Davis to see more involvement in the offense on Sunday.
Davis has been sparingly used this season, but that needs to change for the Jets' offense to pose a real threat to the Patriots' defense.
Jets Should Lean More on Isaiah Davis as Injury Concerns Remain
While getting Hall back is critical for the Jets' offense, ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini noted on Thursday that Hall 'is working with trainers on the side field' and is 'considered week-to-week.' As Hall progresses, his return could obviously cut into Davis's playing time.
The Patriots are riding back-to-back wins, including a notable victory over AFC East rival Buffalo in Week 4. That said, their defense has been vulnerable; they are tied for the 11th-most catches allowed (24) and tied for the fifth-most receiving yards allowed (200) to running backs this season. That is an area the Jets, still trying to get healthy, can exploit.
If Hall can't play, using Davis as a receiving option out of the backfield makes sense, given his impressive career average of 8.7 yards per catch. Last week, he had just two carries for eight yards and one catch for nine yards, but his season-high 10 offensive snaps suggest the Jets are ready to give him more responsibility.
As good as Allen has been, he is only averaging 2.7 yards per catch this season with a career-worst 63.6% catch rate. He averages 6.6 yards per catch for his career, and his lackluster pass-catching production could open the door for Davis to see an uptick in snaps as early as this weekend.
Davis has been productive in his young NFL career, scoring three total touchdowns and not fumbling until this past Sunday—although quarterback Geno Smith recovered it, and it did not result in a turnover. It made sense for New York to get Davis more involved in the game plan while Hall has been out, and for him to take on a more important role.
Injuries Across the Offense Leave Room for Isaiah Davis to Step Up
Head coach Aaron Glenn shared a conflicting injury update that raised more questions than answers, particularly regarding the availability of wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. For weeks, the wideout group has been without two of its top-three targets—Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr.—though Cooper is nearing his return from an ankle injury suffered in the opener.
Those depth concerns, along with rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq entering concussion protocol after a head injury in the Week 5 win over Cleveland, have left holes in the passing game behind WR1 Garrett Wilson. Is Davis ready to step up when Gang Green needs him most?
At the same time, Davis has primarily been used on special teams and could find himself on the trade block before the month is over, especially if the Jets continue to shy away from him when the opportunity is right in front of the 2024 fifth-rounder. That's why it's crucial for him to capitalize on every chance he gets, whether it leads to a bigger role with the Jets or elsewhere.
Ultimately, the Patriots have clearly struggled to contain pass-catching backs so far this season. If the Jets want to put themselves in position to pull off the upset and earn a rare divisional win, Davis should be a key part of those plans, especially if Hall is out for another week.
Colby is a writer for New York Jets OnSI who brings experience writing for Yardbarker and FanSided and has had numerous articles featured on MSN. Colby also covers the NFL and NASCAR on FanSided, and holds a bachelor's in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University.