Will McDonald IV
McDonald had been known as a rotational edge piece for the New York Jets ever since he was drafted back in 2023 at 15th overall. Coming into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, McDonald had only recorded three sacks in his rookie season.
Due to an unfortunate injury to New York defensive end Jermaine Johnson, McDonald saw his opportunity rise and collected three sacks for the Jets’ defense in their 24-17 win Sunday. McDonald became the first player on New York’s defense to get three sacks in a game since 2019 when former Jets safety Jamal Adams achieved the mark during that season.
Along with the three sacks, McDonald collected another tackle as well as forcing a fumble in his breakout performance.
Breece Hall
Hall once again provided a key presence in New York’s rushing and passing attack, with 62 rushing yards on 14 attempts while catching seven passes for 52 yards. One of those catches was a touchdown in the Jets’ 24-17 win Sunday.
The dual-threat back nearly replicated his stats from his week one performance in New York’s 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. This time around, Hall was able to contribute to a Jets win by doing what he does best and contributing in a big way.
Brock Purdy
Following San Francisco’s win over the New York Jets, Purdy and the 49ers traveled to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Before this matchup, Purdy had previously fallen to Minnesota in the same stadium and struggled to find a rhythm against the Vikings’ defense in their 2023 matchup.
It looked like more of the same from Purdy on Sunday, as San Francisco fell to Minnesota yet again by a score of 23-17. Funny enough, the Vikings are the only team to beat Purdy in the two times they’ve played in the NFC since Purdy has gone 16-2 in conference.
As for this game, Purdy finished his day completing 28 of his 36 passes for 319 yards with a touchdown and an interception thrown. Purdy also held a 101.3 passer rating while also taking six sacks in this game.
Purdy also remained the NFL passing yards leader with a combined total of 550 yards through the air in two games played.
David Montgomery
After Montgomery’s heroics in Detroit’s 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in week one, the Lions hoped to carry their momentum into week two in their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite taking down Tampa Bay in the playoffs last season, Detroit wasn’t able to replicate its win and the Buccaneers took down the Lions in Detroit 20-16.
Montgomery found little success in the rushing and passing game but still found a way to get himself in the endzone with the Lions’ only touchdown of the game. He finished with 70 scrimmage yards on 11 carries and four catches.
Allen Lazard
Lazard proved to be a viable target for Rodgers and the Jets’ offense in their week one loss to the 49ers, with two touchdowns on six catches for 89 yards. He hoped to continue his play going into New York’s next matchup against the Titans in week two.
Lazard did not find the same success he had in week one, however, and finished with two catches for 11 yards. The Jets still found a way to win, but Lazard will be looking to get back to his week one form throughout the remainder of the season.
