After Patrick Mahomes’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Noah Gray, the Kansas City Chiefs(3-1) led the New York Jets(1-2) 17-0 in the first quarter.
At that point, it appeared that the Chiefs would rout the Jets. However, the Jets got a safety after Jawaan Taylor was called for a facemask penalty in the end zone. On Kansas City’s next possession, Mahomes would get picked off by Ashtyn Davis, which led to a Zach Wilson one-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Uzomah, and New York went into halftime trailing 20-12.
In the third quarter, Wilson got hot and led the Jets on a seven-play, 75-yard drive, which ended with a Wilson five-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson; after converting on a two-point conversion, the game was tied at 20.
However, the Chiefs(3-1) would get a field goal to take a 23-20 lead in the fourth, Wilson would have a costly fumble, and Sauce Gardner was called for a questionable holding call, which wiped out an interception; the Chiefs ran out the clock and defeated the Jets 23-20 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.
With Aaron Rodgers and Taylor Swift in the house, Wilson may have had the best game of his career; he completed 28 of 39 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh believes if Wilson plays like this every week, the Jets will have a lot of success.
“I thought he was really good,” Saleh said. “He gave us a chance to win the game. Brought us back. If he plays like that, we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
Wilson couldn’t get over his fumble in the fourth quarter despite his solid performance.
“It’s on me,” he said. “Critical situation, I can’t have a play like that. I cannot drop the ball. This team is sacrificing a lot. Guys are making plays. Defense was making plays. O-line was protecting. Receivers were making plays. To be driving right there, to drop a snap, I cannot do that. I lost us that game and I cannot do that. I was making it clear to those guys that I need to be better. I need to be better on the little things, the details. It can’t happen.”
The Jets went toe-to-toe with the world champions and almost got the job done, which gives Wilson confidence that this team can compete with the top teams in the NFL.
“I think we can be really good,” Wilson said. “I think we just need to keep growing together, building off of this and trusting in one another, and we can see where it takes us.”
Saleh is right. If Wilson can continue to play at this level, the Jets can compete with the top teams in the NFL. For now, they are 1-3, and while this was a good effort, it does not mean a thing if it doesn’t end in wins.
In the NFL, the quarterback usually gets too much credit or blame, which may be true with Zach Wilson and the New York Jets.
Wilson wasn’t good for the second week in a row, and also for the second week in a row, the Jets(1-2) would lose as they fell to the New England Patriots(1-2), 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
The third-year quarterback completed only 18 of 36 passes for 157 yards. New York’s offense sputtered for most of the game. They couldn’t run the ball; The Jets had only 38 yards rushing on 22 carries, and Wilson was sacked three times. He was under pressure for most of the game.
Wilson says he’s frustrated but knows the offense must stick together.
“It is extremely frustrating, but really working on just how can we go next play, next play, next play mentality,” Wilson said after the game. “I think we all trust in each other more than ever, especially as these times get tough and people count us out; we have to lean on each other because I think we have the group, and these guys are going to keep learning, growing and we’re going to keep getting better together.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh believes Wilson is still the guy for New York, and not all the issues on offense are his fault.
“We’re still early in the season,” Saleh said. “We knew that even with Aaron (Rodgers) at quarterback, we knew that there was going to be some hiccups along the way because of the new offense, new play caller, new o-line, just new players all over the offensive side of the ball. And now you’ve got this curveball that was sent to us, so they’re acclimating, and they’re going to get better. But it’s still very early in the season.”
The Jets have a team that can compete now, but after three weeks, their quarterback appears to need more time to be ready to win. Despite that, Saleh is sticking with Wilson.
“Right now, he’s who gives us the best chance to win,” Saleh said. “Basically, that would be the cleanest answer I can give you.”
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who caught five passes for 48 yards, also still believes in Wilson.
“That’s my dawg, and he can spin,” Wilson said. “Yeah, man. All the confidence in the world. You know, we have to figure it out on offense as a whole.”
Jets’ fans were not too happy with the team’s offense, but Wilson said there’s still hope.
“Keep believing,” Wilson said. “I truly believe we got the guys; we’re going to keep doing everything we can to get better. We understand the frustrations; it’s not fun to go three-and-out, it’s not fun to not establish drives and play football and score touchdowns. We understand that, and we’re doing everything we can; we’re going to get better.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier for the Jets as they host the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday night. Saleh may still believe in Wilson, but something will have to change if he continues to play this way. It’s that simple.
Life without Aaron Rodgers may be difficult for the New York Jets(1-1) after all.
On Sunday, New York went into Dallas and got beat up by the Cowboys(2-0) 30-10.
It’s hard to win on the road in the NFL and even harder when you turn the ball over four times. Furthermore, it becomes even harder when you can’t protect your quarterback. The Cowboys had Zach Wilson under duress for most of the game and sacked him three times.
Wilson had moments, including a 68-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. In addition, he was able to use his legs to get away from pressure, and he rushed for 36 yards.
However, Wilson completed 12/27 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh thought Wilson played well for most of the game.
“Up until we had to force it, I thought he did a really nice job,” Saleh said after the loss. “He hit that strike route to Garrett for that big touchdown. I thought he did a really nice job at the end of half, moving the chains, getting some points. It just, like I said, that team, when you have to get into a drop-back game consistently with those guys, it’s not going to be pretty.”
Wilson thought he played well for the first three quarters, but to Saleh’s point, things fell apart for the third-year quarterback in the fourth as all three interceptions came in the final quarter.
“It’s tough, man,” Wilson said. “I thought I was seeing it well for the first three quarters of the game, but we kept getting stopped. There’s always going to be things we can keep cleaning up. But I thought I was seeing it well, at least for the first three quarters. I think when we watch this film, we’ll be able to keep pushing forward on some stuff.”
Wilson is optimistic about the future despite the loss and the struggles on offense.
“We’ve got to be better,” he said. “I need to be better, but we are right there. So, it’s a long season. We’re going to watch this film and see how we can improve. Everyone trusts and believes in each other. Everyone loves each other. We’re excited for the challenge.”
This loss was not on Wilson. Defensively, New York will need this unit to be at their best. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys did not have much resistance from the defense, so again, this unit must lead the way for the Jets.
New York returns home next Sunday to host the Patriots.
After being benched for three games due to ineffective play, Zach Wilson got another shot on Sunday against the Lions, and he gave New York an opportunity to win, but with a chance to tie at the end of regulation, Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a 58-yard field goal at the buzzer, and the Jets(7-7) would fall to the Lions(7-7) 20-17 at MetLife Stadium.
New York is one game behind the Dolphins and Chargers for the final two wild-card spots in the AFC.
Wilson, who started for an injured Mike White, did not have a great completion percentage(18/35), but he made a few plays, which helped him end up with 317 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception. The second-year quarterback hit on big pass plays, especially in the second quarter, where he had completions of 21, 33, 40, and 50 yards. Wilson threw for 164 yards in the second quarter.
“I thought he had a really good first half,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said about Wilson. “Third quarter, hit some adversity, and then I thought he finished strong, gave us a chance to kick a game-tying kick. But unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who had four catches for 98 yards, added on Wilson’s play: “That boy battled, and anytime you come into a game and see the speed of the game, you know when you’re getting man coverage and like you said, you haven’t been in that position in three weeks, it’s going to be tough on you. I thought he handled it really well. He showed a lot of perseverance, especially at the end of the game. Making some of the throws he did and setting in there, it gave us a chance to win the game, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Wilson felt he needed to be better.
“I got to be better, man,” he said. “I think you guys saw it, we had explosive plays offensively, but it’s the first and second down, just staying ahead of the sticks. I can think of a number of plays I left out there. You got to look at it like a learning process, just trying to keep improving every single week, and that’s the goal.”
Sometimes players, especially young players, can benefit from being benched, and Wilson discussed what he learned from his break.
“Yeah, I think the biggest thing I learned is that you just have to be able to move on,” he said. “I miss a throw, have a bad interception, you got to move on. You got to for the guys around you; you just have to say, ‘Alright, next play.’ It’s a learning experience; I learned from that one; I have to get better right here and put my guys in the best position I can.”
Saleh did not commit to Wilson as the starter for next week against the Jaguars. When asked if he felt he deserved another start, Wilson said the following:
“No, I think that’s not up to me. For me, I think it comes back to how can I watch this film, how can I improve, and can I keep trying to put our offense in the best situation to win, and I didn’t do that today.”
Wilson sounds humbled, but he didn’t do enough to warrant another start. If White is healthy, which could be a stretch, he should play.
However, Wilson is still very young(23) and has shown flashes, so he can still grow and become the team’s franchise quarterback, but again, for now, White gives this team the best opportunity to win.
New York Jets quarterback Mike White started in place of an ineffective Zach Wilson against the Bears on Sunday, and maybe, just maybe, the Jets may have found their starting quarterback for the rest of the season and beyond.
White, who battled the rain, was 22/28 for 315 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets routed the Bears 31-10 at MetLife Stadium. White led the Jets on an opening drive touchdown for the first time this season when he connected with Garrett Wilson on an eight-yard touchdown pass. In fact, White finished the first half with 235 yards and two touchdowns. The 235 yards in the first half is the most by a Jets quarterback since 2006.
“He did a great job,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said after the win. “He didn’t need to be anybody but Mike White. We didn’t need to turn into ‘The Greatest Show on Turf.’ We just wanted him to play within himself and play efficient. I thought he did that.”
White hit ten different receivers on Sunday, including Jets rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who had five catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson had high praise for White.
“He comes in and prepares, goes about his business the right way and goes about his preparation the right way, and you do things like that consistently, you’re going to get it back on the back end,” Wilson said. “I think we saw that today. That’s a really good talent, really good mindset, and when you have things like that, that’s what comes up.”
In three starts, Flacco threw five touchdowns, Wilson had four touchdowns in seven starts, and White came close to that number on Sunday.
“It’s awesome, just going out there and playing football with your friends and guys you’ve been with for a couple years now,” White said about getting the start. “When it wasn’t my time to play, obviously, I’m super supportive of them, and I’m having fun with them, too, but just to be out there and be a part of it and help the team win is always fun.”
Jets fans have been waiting for this type of quarterback play all season long and, at one point, were chanting White’s name.
“It’s always cool,” White said about the chants. “I’m not going to sit here and give you some quarterback cliché that I’m not focusing on that, which, there are times I’m not. But towards the end of the game, I think it would be a lot cooler if they didn’t do it while we were trying to snap the ball, but no, I’m not going to complain too much about that.”
Last season, White started four games for the Jets, and there were some highs, which included throwing for 405 yards against the Bengals, and some lows, which included a four-interception game against the Bills, but according to White, those lows have helped him.
“Yeah, I think going out there, you have the experience to draw on from last year,” he said. “but every game is its own game, and you’ve got to play to such, but having the experience of being out there and having the highs, having the lows as well, you can’t just learn from the highs, you’ve got to learn from the lows, and drawing upon that and using that to help you however you can.”
Following this performance, the 27-year-old quarterback has earned another start and should be the starter the rest of the way. After his play on Sunday, you wonder why he was not the guy earlier in the season when Wilson was injured. White, who was impressive in the preseason, picked up where he left off in the preseason, and the Jets hope it continues.
For 59-plus minutes, the New York Jets(6-4) kept the New England Patriots(6-4) out of the end zone, but they could not keep them out of the end zone for the entire 60 minutes as the Patriots’ Marcus Jones returned a punt 84 yards with five seconds left to give New England a 10-3 win over the Jets at Gillette Stadium.
Jones’ touchdown was the first punt return for a touchdown this season.
“Yeah, it’s a crappy way to lose,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “You feel like you’re exchanging blows from a defensive standpoint from both teams, and somebody could just make a play and get it to overtime. They made a play, and we didn’t.”
Jets corner D.j. Reed added: “I’m still in disbelief. Marcus Jones, I know him from college; he went to Houston. Hell of a punt returner, and they gave him a chance. He is a great punt returner, and he got his touchdown. Credit to them for doing that. I’m in disbelief; it’s a tough loss.”
The Jets held the Patriots’ offense to three points and sacked Mac Jones six times. However, New York’s offense was nonexistent, especially in the second half, as they had only two yards of total offense. New York finished the game with 103 total yards. Zach Wilson completed 9 of 22 passes for 77 yards, and New York, in that dreaded second half, had -21 passing yards.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh had a few choice words to describe the team’s offensive performance in the second half:
“It was dog sh*t,” he said.
Like many on the team, Wilson was disappointed by the team’s performance on offense.
“Yeah, it’s super frustrating,” Wilson said. “It was a frustrating day, of course. I feel like I had some balls that got away from me. But we got to find ways on offense. We got to do some digging, watch the film, and see what we can do better.”
Jets rookie wideout Garrett Wilson, who had two catches for 12, did not mince words when talking about the offense.
This s–t’s sorry,” Wilson told reporters. “We’re out here looking sorry, man. We know that we’re not sorry. So that’s why it really hurts. We know that we’re better than that. We can do more.”
Despite the poor effort, Saleh said he had no intentions of bringing in backup quarterback Mike White and is still sticking with Wilson.
“I’ve told you guys before, Zach’s our quarterback, and we’re going to, we’ve got to find ways to help him get better,” Saleh said.
The Jets have not beaten the Patriots since 2010, and this game had playoff implications as New York was swept by the Pats this season. Fortunately for the Jets, seven games are still left, but Wilson and the offense have to be better.
The New York Jets(1-1) got an improbable win in Cleveland(1-1) against the Browns on Sunday. Down 30-17 with just under two minutes left in the game, the jets fought back.
First, it started with a busted coverage from the Browns as Joe Flacco connected with Corey Davis on a 66-yard touchdown. Then, Justin Hardee recovered Braden Mann’s onside kick. From there, they would go 53 yards in nine plays, which ended with a 15-yard Garrett Wilson touchdown reception from Flacco.
Finally, the Jets sealed the victory when Ashtyn Davis intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass on the Bronws’ final drive.
“For sure. I do not know where it ranks, but it is up there,” said Flacco about whether this was the craziest ending to a game in his career. “Look, at one point, you’re sitting on the bench, and they have the opportunity to run the clock out. Obviously, when he scores, you are thinking, okay, that is not what he is supposed to do. But I am sure they were still thinking, ‘okay, it is 30-17.’ That play to CD (Jets WR Corey Davis) obviously quieted the crowd a little bit. You have to give credit to the guys on the sideline, the guys that were in this game.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh was happy with the way his guys fought and glad to get a win.
“You can hear it. We’re off the snide. I love the way this feels,” he said. “[We have to] find a way to stack them up. There is a lot of stuff that we have to clean up, but I’m just proud of the guys because we didn’t quit. That’s probably the biggest thing that I’ll take away from it.”
The comeback would not have been possible if Browns running back Nick Chubb had just gone to the ground instead of scoring what appeared to be the game-clinching touchdown. Additionally, Browns kicker Cade York would miss the extra point.
“Yeah, you know what, that’s going to be one that shows up on Friday for us as teachable moments,” said Saleh about Chubb’s touchdown. “I’m sure (Browns Head Coach Kevin) Coach Stefanski is very, very detailed. I’m sure that’s in their vocabulary, and I’m sure it’s just one of those moments. They scored, and the echo on the headset was that they gave us a chance; let’s see what happens.”
Wilson added: “As soon as Chubb scored. Coach said, ‘they just gave us our only chance.’ We go down 30-17, and then (Jets WR Corey Davis) CD has a quick touchdown. At that point, we are all believing. Now we are going to get this onside kick. As soon as they scored, we were like, ‘Oh, that is kind of quick; we still have a shot at this.”
Throughout the week, many called for Saleh to bench Flacco, but to the 15-year veteran’s credit, he had a solid performance as he was 26/44 for 307 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday. Despite everything, Saleh still trusts Flacco.
“Joe is 37 years old; he has been in this league a long time,” Saleh said. “He has seen the worst of times and the best of times. He knows that last week wasn’t his best game. You just trust that a guy like Joe, who has been in this league long enough, will rebound. You knew that he will take care of the football and that he would get the ball where it needed to go and give ourselves a chance.”
You can say the Jets got lucky against the Browns, but good teams make their own luck. Not to say the Jets are a good team. However, they beat a good team on the road, which could be something to build on.
