Jets Q&A: Denzel Mims thrilled to make big catch
Denzel Mims of the Jets reacts after his first-down reception late during the fourth quarter against the Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Whom did the Jets turn to when they needed a big play in their final drive?
Denzel Mims, of course. The receiver who wasn’t active in the first six games of the season has made important plays in the last three.
On third-and-5 from the Bills’ 18, Mims ran a slant and Zach Wilson delivered a perfect pass for a 12-yard gain. The drive ended with a game-winning field goal.
“It means a lot,” Mims said. “It lets me know that they trust me and when it comes down to a pressure moment they came to me, so it makes me happy.”
Mims, a second-round pick in 2020, requested a trade in September. He was fifth on the depth chart at the time. He got his shot three weeks ago when Elijah Moore was inactive after his blowup and trade request over his lack of involvement.
The last two games, Mims has played in place of Corey Davis, who has a knee injury. He’s been waiting not so patiently to make an impact.
“Last year, it kind of bothered me,” Mims said.
“This year, I told myself to keep my head down and just keep working. Just let my agent handle whatever else he needs to handle on that side of it. All I can do is come every day and work and hope I get an opportunity. It came today. That’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
Are the Jets looking forward to playing New England after their bye?
They definitely are. D.J. Reed wore a big smile and nodded about the thought of playing the Patriots, who beat the Jets last week, 22-17, in a game in which Wilson threw three interceptions. Payback is on their minds — again.
“Exciting,” Reed said. “Yes. I’m very happy about that. I think everybody is.”
Sauce Gardner said, “Man, definitely. I can’t wait. I was telling myself I can’t wait to go against them again. But I can’t wait for the bye week as well.”
What does Wilson think about those who criticized him and gave the Jets no chance to win this game?
Wilson said he doesn’t care and he doesn’t listen to anyone outside of the Jets’ locker room.
“We know the confidence that we have,” he said. “The greatest part is that nobody in that locker room cares what anybody says outside of here. If anybody mattered outside of here, they’d be coaches or they’d be players.”
What happened to Wilson in the first half?
He hurt his ankle when DaQuan Jones fell on him. Wilson stayed down for a while and limped off the field and to the medical tent. He didn’t miss a snap, though.
How involved was Moore?
Not at all. Moore played 27 snaps and wasn’t targeted once. The Jets didn’t honor his trade request before Tuesday’s deadline and said they would incorporate him in the offense. He has been targeted once in his last three games.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
