JB: RB Isaiah Davis. OK, this might seem like an absurd choice, but with RB2 Braelon Allen on injured reserve because of a knee injury sustained last week at Miami, Davis moves up from RB3 to the guy behind RB1 Breece Hall. Can the second-year man from South Dakota State take advantage of the opportunity? Why not? Few would have given the 6-0, 218-pound fifth-round draft pick in 2024 much of chance to stick around this long, but Davis is, literally, a survivor. He and his brother hid under a mattress when their Joplin, MO, home was destroyed by a tornado in 2011. Playing for the Jackrabbits in the NCAA Division I FCS, Davis was named first-team All Missouri Valley Football Conference when he rambled for 1,451 yards and 15 TDs as SDSU won a national title in 2023. Most of his rookie season was spent on special teams, until late in the season when over the last 6 games he had 26 carries for 156 yards and 1 TD. He's quick and elusive. This season Davis has been limited to 5 carries and 27 yards but has been an able contributor on special teams with 11 returns for 323 yards (29.4 average), with a long return of 41 yards. He and Hall will be facing a Dallas defense that ranks 20th against the run, allowing 123.3 yards a game. In the NFL, there is only opportunity, and this is a big one for Davis.
SW: The Jets rediscovered their offensive identity last week, rushing for a season-high 197 yards. That production mostly came from QB Justin Fields and RB Breece Hall -- who each recorded 81 yards on the ground -- but RB Braelon Allen was also a key contributor before he exited the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. Allen was placed on IR Thursday, and in his absence, RB Isaiah Davis could have a breakout performance in Week 5. Davis has appeared in all 4 games for the Jets so far this season, but he has been relatively quiet, only picking up 27 yards on 5 carries. The second-year player could see his role increase this week as the Jets aim to take advantage of a Dallas defense that has struggled early in the season. Dallas has allowed 420.5 yards per game, which ranks last in the league, and 33.0 points per game, which ranks second to last. It's worth noting that the Cowboys pass defense has especially struggled -- the unit ranks last in the league in pass yards allowed per game (297.3). But after the Jets effectively ran the ball last week, especially on the opening drive, I expect to see them stick to that brand of football -- and Davis could be a key piece of the puzzle.