Jets quarterback Mike White tried to lead his team to a road win last Sunday over the Minnesota Vikings, who came into the game 9-2 and leading the NFC North. The offense consistently put points on the board throughout the game but most by kicking field goals. The Jets reached the red zone six times but the Vikings held them to just one touchdown, a fourth down quarterback sneak by White from the 1-yard line with 6:45 to go.
White and the Jets offense had another fourth down attempt from the Vikings 1-yard line at 1:43 of the final quarter that would have put them ahead, but a pass to wide receiver Braxton Berrios was incomplete. Having one more possession, the Jets’ hopes ended with a White interception by safety Camryn Bynum on 4th and 10 from the Vikings 19-yard line with 16 seconds to go.
The Jets left Minnesota with a 27-22 loss in a game they showed a never-say-die mindset. It has been at the heart of their 7-5 record and being the No. 7 seed in the AFC, the last wild card spot in the conference, as they prepare for this Sunday’s game in Buffalo against the 9-3 Bills, the AFC’s top seed in Week 14.
White, making his second straight start after Jets head coach Robert Saleh benched second-year quarterback Zach Wilson due to his poor play and lack of accountability, was 31-57 for 369 yards, the most ever for a Jets QB in a game without throwing a touchdown, and showed that he is a better option than Wilson for the moment to help his team win games. He has given the defense, one of the best in the league, a feeling they don’t have to do all of the heavy lifting and that the offense now can hold their own weight.
“We stared adversity straight in the face and responded. Just got to respond better,” said White of the loss to the Vikings.
“He was out there controlling the huddle, never letting the moment get too big,” said Jets rookie receiver Garrett Wilson, an outspoken White advocate. “It was cool to see.”
Wilson, taken with the No. 10 overall pick by the Jets out of Ohio State in last April’s NFL draft, had his best day as a pro, catching eight passes for 152 yards. The 22-year-old from Columbus, Ohio gave White much of the credit.
“I’ll go to war for that boy. He’s got something special.”