The unsung hero of the week: Muhammad Wilkerson

The New York Jets are not dead yet, as they stay alive for at least another (shortened) week, with their 27-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams. It turned out to be a pretty easy win for the Jets, but it sure didn't begin that way. They quickly fell behind, 7-0, and after a 51-yard Nick Folk field goal, nothing went right for Gang Green, as it was "here we go again" time with the third sack of Mark Sanchez, a blocked field goal and a fake punt that didn't fake out anyone. St. Louis had the momentum and the ball, but then Muhammad Wilkerson ran around the Ram offensive line and stripped Sam Bradford of the ball, with Bart Scott recovering it and running it back 38 yards into Rams territory, and that play changed the course of the game.

Of course, the offense had to produce for Wilkerson's heroics to have any meaning, and they did, with the turnover leading to a Sanchez to Chaz Schilens touchdown connection, and the Jets never relinquished the lead. Sanchez had himself a nice little afternoon, going 15-for-20, for 178 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions (and it might be time to scrap the Tim Tebow experiment, as he's adding nothing to the offense). Shonn Greene (64 yards on 18 carries) and Bilal Powell (his first two NFL touchdowns, 42 yards) finally gave the Jets some rushing production and the defense (three turnovers) made no one clamor for the return of Brian Schottenheimer, as they dominated the St. Louis offense.

But it was Wilkerson's play that was the key to changing the momentum for the Jets. It was the Linden, New Jersey, native's second sack of the season and third forced fumble, and his four tackles give him 47 for the year. He should surpass last season's output in all of those categories. It was looking like the Jets were heading toward another disaster, but Wilkerson's quick move turned the game around and makes him the Unsung Hero of the Week.