Jets takeaways from 21-14 win over Texans, including an up-and-down return for Zach Wilson

While not an eye-catching performance, this could be something to build on for Wilson

11/28/2021, 9:38 PM
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Zach Wilson made his return to the Jets’ lineup and, although it wasn’t smooth sailing, the rookie led them back from 14-3 down for their third win of the season. 

Wilson, who settled down after a slow start, rushed for a four-yard touchdown to give the Jets the lead for good in the third quarter as the defense shut the Texans out for the rest of the game.

Wilson got plenty of help from the running game as the Jets rushed for 157 yards despite being without their leading rusher, Michael Carter, and the defense, which notched five sacks as they posted a second-half shutout.

Realistically, this was one of the easiest remaining games on the Jets’ schedule, so their fans won’t get too excited about a tightly contested win, even though the Texans had been competitive over their previous two games. However, this is a step in the right direction and could be a launchpad toward some more success over the remaining games.

 

The Jets return home next week with a chance to become the first Gang Green squad in franchise history to beat the Eagles in a regular season game. If they can build on some of the things they did well here, they have a chance.

Here are some more takeaways from the Jets’ first road win of the season:

    • There were plenty of possible excuses lined up for Wilson if he struggled in this game. He was without his best running back, tight end, and wide receiver, facing a defense with some momentum having racked up 10 turnovers in their last two games and would have been shaking off considerable rust. However, his slow start was all on him. After completing his first pass, Wilson didn’t complete another pass until deep into the second quarter on his ninth drop back. It seemed obvious things were still moving too fast for him, but the coaches seemed to settle him down well by scheming up some easy throws to get him rolling.
    • If the Jets were going to look for excuses, they could've blamed the field for their first half deficit. Elijah Moore would have been open for an opening drive touchdown had he not slipped while making his break near the goal line. Then, in the same area of the field, rookie Jason Pinnock’s slip allowed Brevin Jordan to score the Texans’ first touchdown when he otherwise would have been in position to stop him and force them to settle for a field goal.
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  • Ill-timed penalties are usually features of Jets losses, but they were the beneficiary of a few key ones by the Texans in this game. One kick-started their first touchdown drive, and then back-to-back penalties on Ross Blacklock set up the second touchdown when the Jets had been about to settle for a field goal.
  • John Franklin-Myers has had some fans griping that he hasn’t done enough to justify the big money deal he signed before week five. However, that’s not entirely fair, because his pressure rates have still been excellent. There could be no complaints on Sunday anyway, as Franklin-Myers recorded an interception and two sacks in the first half alone.
  • The Jets made one significant lineup change as they went with Javelin Guidry rather than rookie Isaiah Dunn as the starting cornerback paired with Bryce Hall. Dunn was involved in a few blown coverages last week and, although it’s not always obvious from the film who is at fault in such situations, going back to Guidry speaks volumes. Guidry played well and has at least earned himself another start, if not a chance to push for Brandin Echols’ spot in the starting lineup when he returns.
  • Another player who was benched last week was linebacker Jarrad Davis, and he was again on the bench to start the game with Quincy Williams playing well in his place. However, Williams left the game injured and Davis came in and made some positive contributions so perhaps he still has a chance to work his way back into the permanent rotation.
  • Finally, youngster Austin Walter provided the Jets with a spark on their first touchdown drive with a first down run and a short touchdown, then later had a few more nice plays. It doesn’t bode well for the future of last year’s fourth round pick, La’Mical Perine, that the Jets turned to Walter rather than him with Carter out.

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