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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Three times in his career and dismissed by the media and the media as a first game, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson gave the kind of performance Sunday that was expected of him as the number 2 in the 2021 .
“Zach is unbelievable,” coach Robert Saleh said after the Jets snapped a five-game hitting streak with a 30-6 rout of the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium.
Back in the lineup after two bench games, Wilson passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns, posting career bests for passing (117.9) and completion percentage (75%). It was his third 300-yard passer in 32 starts, but his first in a win. Saleh called it the best game of Wilson’s career, and it left fans buzzing about his resilience.
They described a Wilson who was not serious, who was not happy with the way he was treated by the organization, who swore to his friends that he would play with a chip on his shoulder and for the team. That rang in the locker room.
“He told me, ‘I’m playing for all of you. I have nothing to lose,’ “said DJ Reed in the corner. “He said, ‘What’s the worst that can happen, I’m back in the chair?’ That’s what he said and that’s how he played.
Police officer Laken Tomlinson said, “He said earlier this week: F o. Go out and have some fun. Let it all out.”
Wilson was Aaron Rodgers-esque in the last 30 minutes in difficult situations. After throwing for just 92 yards in the first half – the score was 0-0 at halftime – Wilson was 18-for-21 for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. his career-high in any half.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett opened up the game plan, allowing Wilson to come out to throw. Wilson led the drive with two first downs in the second half, no small feat for the Jets.
Before Sunday, they had gone eight straight games without conceding more than one goal. The team lost a streak of 18 straight games without three offensive touchdowns, tied for the longest since 2000, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
It came out of nowhere for the Jets (5-8), and it came out of nowhere for Wilson, who has struggled in his nine starts.
“The flow of just playing football today has been, and I can’t say too much, unfortunately, in my career here,” said Wilson, who completed 27 out of 36 passes without incident. His only flaw is losing a joke.
Wilson, who replaced Rodgers during the season, was forced into action in Week 1, when the four-time MVP tore his left Achilles tendon. The Jets got off to a 4-3 start, but the offense went under Wilson. After week 11 with the Buffalo Bills, Saleh Wilson was benched for rookie Tim Boyle – a move that backfired with two bad plays.
Publicly, Wilson said he understood the discount, but he was the only one who bought it, the team said. When it became clear that Boyle was sitting on the bench, Wilson expressed reluctance about the prospect of regaining control, The Athletic reported. Wilson said the report was “grossly” wrong.
On Sunday, he played with purpose, and teammates said he was more dangerous than usual. His most dangerous moment came early in the third quarter. On third and 12, he burned to his left and threw his body up the middle of the field, finding wide receiver Garrett Wilson for 25 yards. That set up the first touchdown, a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Randall Cobb.
As the game wore on, the coaches implored Zach Wilson to play with a calm mind. He did with that story.
“As a coach, you’re always like, ‘Don’t throw that,'” Wilson said. “Sometimes they go the other way. To me, it’s sent when you believe it’s there, trust it. It’s part of football.”
Later, Wilson made it 21-6 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Breece Hall. He did a great job of getting the ball to the top players, after Hall finished with eight receptions for 86 yards and Garrett Wilson made nine catches for 108 yards.
“He balled,” Garrett Wilson said of his quarterback. “He put it all out there, throwing punches in the rain.”
The game plan helped. After the first half, the coaches showed confidence in Zach Wilson. They called passes on five first down plays in the third quarter. He rewarded their confidence by making a few light throws, using his strong arm instead of checking down.
“From what I’ve seen, that’s the best he’s ever played,” Cobb said. “He just went out there and played his type of ball, without feeling pressured. The pressure he’s been under the last two or three years – he just went out there and played great tonight. .”