The New York Jets (2-6) have been in a rut for some time now after picking up a big win over the Cleveland Browns, but they are trying to turn the season around before it's too late. New York had a fairly-winnable matchup against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders (4-4) and while it came down to the wire, the Jets weren't able to seal the deal in the end.
The Jets lost to the Raiders 38-33 on Sunday in a game where both teams got whatever they wanted on the offensive side of the ball, but the Raiders made the last big play. Despite the narrow loss, Jets quarterback Geno Smith completed 20 of his 32 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns while running back Braelon Allen continues his breakout after carrying the ball 21 times for 147 yards and one
touchdown.
While the Jets' defense did a good job of limiting the Raiders' running game, they still allowed Las Vegas to average 8.8 yards per pass and to covert 7-of-11 third-down opportunities. New York is now on a three-game losing streak after this close loss to the Raiders and that was with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell exploding for seven catches for 142 yards and one touchdown.
Here is Jets Wire's stock report for the Jets following Sunday's loss to the Raiders:
Stock Up: QB Geno Smith
Smith has been a steady presence for the Jets since coming to the team this offseason, but when he has performances like he did on Sunday, New York will have a chance to win more games than not. Smith primarily targeted Adonai Mitchell and Garrett Wilson, but he made the most of those connections to help out the running game.
Stock Down: TE Mason Taylor
Taylor has been on this series more than most players, but given his potential as a second-round pick from last season and how he's performed lately, it makes sense to put him in the stock down category. Granted, Taylor was targeted just five times, but coming off a game last week where he totaled 62 yards and two touchdowns, it's clear that he can make an impact for New York.
Stock Up: S Dane Belton
In many ways, Belton is the last line of defense for the Jets and against the Raiders, he did a great job of being the surest tackler in the defensive secondary. Belton totaled 12 tackles (9 solo, 1 for loss) and he had a pass deflection, proving that his impact goes beyond just run support as he can cover the wide parts of the field as well.
Stock Down: S Malachi Moore
There was some hope that Moore could develop into the kind of player that could contribute to the defensive backfield for the Jets after being selected with a fourth-round pick last year. However, Sunday marked his seventh game with just one tackle so the hope is that he can turn that part of his game around at some point in the near future.
Stock Up: WR Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell did not play well in his return last week, but this week showed that he's on the other side of his finger injury given how many times he was able to get open against Las Vegas' defense. The Jets have plenty of responsibility on wide receiver Garrett Wilson, but it's good to see that when Smith has to go somewhere else that he can turn to Mitchell for some big plays.
Stock Up: RB Braelon Allen
Allen has been filling in for starting running back Breece Hall, but with the way he's been playing recently, the Jets may continue to play it safe with Hall in the meantime. Allen ran over the Raiders thanks to his unique combination of strength and speed and he also had a catch that went for 11 yards, showing how much he has improved in that department as well.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Stock up, stock down after the Jets' 38-33 loss to Raiders
