NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Time beyond regulation loomed.
The Titans, trailing the Jets, 24-17, had been on the transfer because the clock was bleeding towards the tip of regulation Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
It was third-and-goal from the Jets 8-yard line and there was Will McDonald busting via the Tennessee offensive line to sack Titans quarterback Will Levis for a 6-yard loss.
The sport for the Jets and Titans would formally be over on the following play — fourth-and-goal from the 14-yard line.
That’s when Levis’ desperation move to Tyler Boyd was damaged up by security Tony Adams to safe the 24-17 Jets win.
Nevertheless it was the McDonald sack that put the Titans within the unattainable state of affairs.
“In my thoughts, I used to be pondering, ‘If I win this one-on-one, we win the sport,’ ’’ McDonald stated.
That sack of Levis was the third of the sport for McDonald, who entered the day having recorded three sacks within the 16 NFL video games he’d performed.
“I assumed, Will McDonald, man, he was unbelievable, unbelievable,’’ Jets head coach Robert Saleh stated. “I’m going have to have a look at this tape, however it felt like he was actually bringing energy to his sport in the present day. I assumed a few his sacks, or no less than one among them, he ran proper via that proper deal with.
“If he continues to develop that, he can be a double-digit sack man in his sleep.’’
McDonald, the Jets first-round choose in 2023, set a tone for his day, his finest sport as a professional up to now, on the Titans’ first offensive collection when he sacked Levis for a 2-yard loss on third-and-2.
Then, halfway via the second quarter, the Titans had the Jets on the ropes, main 7-0 and with the ball on the Jets 7-yard line.
On third-and-goal, McDonald sacked Levis, who tripped over him as he tried to lateral the ball to working again Tony Pollard.
Pollard by no means secured the free ball and Jets linebacker Quincy Williams recovered it.
That play stored the Jets from falling behind 14-0 or 10-0 at finest.
“I didn’t even know he tripped over me,’’ McDonald stated. “I used to be simply attempting to get again there. However I didn’t actually see him come up behind me and journey up.’’
McDonald’s efficiency was significantly vital within the wake of the lack of Jermaine Johnson, almost definitely for the season, with what’s believed to be a ruptured Achilles.
“We had been all enjoying for him,’’ McDonald stated of Johnson.
Requested if this was his finest sport, McDonald stated, “I’ve obtained much more video games to play for this to be my finest. There’s nonetheless extra to do.’’
With Johnson doubtless carried out for the yr and Haason Reddick nonetheless stubbornly holding out for a brand new contract, the Jets desperately want McDonald to play the way in which he did Sunday.
As a result of they’re instantly skinny on move rushers.
“I’m tremendous happy with Will, tremendous happy with the work he’s put in,’’ Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas stated. “We’ve been happy with Will each day, simply the way in which he works when he reveals up, his enthusiasm for all times. He has like a little-kid power in a grown man’s freakish physique.’’
Thomas known as the lack of Johnson “very emotional’’ for the gamers.
“Jermaine is somebody who pours his coronary heart out each sport,’’ Thomas stated. “To see Jermaine go down is heartbreaking for him, for us, for his household. It breaks my coronary heart.’’
