What was thought to be a promising day for the New York Jets turned out to be the complete opposite as their four-game winning streak came to an end against their longtime division rival New England Patriots due to injuries leading up to the game, in-efficient quarterback play by Zach Wilson, and a crucial penalty that could’ve been game-changing for the Jets.
Sunday’s matchup was a huge one for the Jets as they looked to end their 12-game losing streak against their longtime division rival, the New England Patriots, who have tortured them during that stretch.
Their last win against the Patriots was in week 16 of the 2015-16 season when the Jets won 26-20, as they were fighting for the wild card spot.
One positive thing about today’s matchup was the Jets inducting D’Brickashaw Ferguson into their ring of honor at halftime. He held down the left tackle spot for ten years, only missing one snap of his career due to trick play when Darrelle Revis came in the game. Ferguson became their 20th member inducted into the Jets ring of honor.
Metlife Stadium was sold out as fans came in support of the Jets, who were riding high off their 4-game winning streak. The Jets looked to extend their record to 6-2 against a Patriots team coming off a tough loss against the Chicago Bears.
Zach Wilson was looking to prove that he is more of a driver than just a passenger of the Jets offense.
The Jets came into the game with injuries all over the place as Corey Davis was out with a shoulder injury, Alijah Vera-Tucker was ruled out for the rest of the season with a triceps injury, and Breece Hall devastatingly tearing his ACL, forcing him out for the remainder of the season.
Elijah Moore and Corey Davis looked to fill the void for Corey Davis’ spot. Michael Carter slides right into the starting role at running back while newly acquired running back James Robinson gets a feel for the Jets offense. Mike Remmers and Cedric Ogbuehi were switching off at the right tackle position.
Even with the injuries, the football season still goes on as scheduled, so the Jets had to prepare for Sunday’s matchup as best as possible.
The Jets debuted their new black helmets, which are popular among players.
The game’s first drive starts with a three-and-out as a Mims catch was ruled out of bounds. Braden Mann shanked a punt that gave the Patriots the ball at the 45-yard line.
The first drive for the Patriots also ends in a three and out as Quincy Williams makes a nice run stop, along with Carl Lawson getting his 3rd sack of the season on third down.
Patriots Wide Receiver DeVonte Parker got hurt in the first drive and was questionable to return to the game but ended up being ruled out with a knee injury.
With 11 minutes to go in the first quarter, Zach Wilson shows his ability to make a play with a nice throw to Tyler Conklin for a good gain, then follows up with a 54-yard pass down the field to rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson on a third and 5.
The drive ended in a Greg Zuerlein 28-yard field goal after the Jets offense couldn’t get a score off the Patriots defense, who were all over the Jets wide receivers.
One thing about the Jets defense throughout the first quarter and the whole game is that they were able to get to Mac Jones as he found it very difficult to avoid the Jets pressure as he seemed flustered to make plays. Nathen Shepard and John Franklin Meyers each got a sack on Mac Jones.
The downside to the Jets defense was their failure to stop the Pats on third down throughout the first half as Rhondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers helped the Pats convert on third down.
Now in the second quarter, the Jets drove down to the red zone off a Garrett Wilson 24-yard pop catch and run and a Jabrill Peppers unnecessary roughness call that set up a Jets touchdown on an 8-yard pass to tight end Tyler Conklin as the Jets took the lead 10-3.
Conklin won the one-on-one against the Patriots defender as he outmatched him physically.
Patriots look to take the lead against the Jets, but Mac Jones gets picked off by Michael Carter II as Mac Jones’ pass was tipped.
As the Jets try to extend their lead before the half, Wilson throws his first interception of the game Ja’Whaun Bentley as Wilson throws off his back foot. It was his first turnover in over four games.
The game was almost changed as Michael Carter II almost had an 84-yard pick-six that was called back after John Franklin Meyers was called for roughing the passer, resulting in the second half ending with a 10-6 score.
During the Jets 12-game losing streak, the last time the Jets led at halftime against the Patriots was in week 9 of 2020
Now in the third quarter, the Patriots drive the ball down the field to score off a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers on 4th and 1
Wilson’s turnover antics would start when he threw his second interception to longtime Patriots veteran Devin McCourty. It looked like Wilson was throwing the ball away, but McCourty came underneath to secure the pick. Mims was wide open on the play, but Wilson couldn’t find him. Wilson must learn that you can’t just throw the ball where a defender can easily pick it off. Any proven quarterback should be able to make an easy throwaway pass without getting picked.
With 12:43 left in the fourth quarter, Wilson’s third interception came in the fourth quarter again by Devin McCourty, as it was Wilson’s 7th interception against New England.
After a Zach Wilson touchdown pass to Tyler Conklin for 9 yards and a failed onside kick try, the Jets would lose at home to the New England Patriots 22-17, falling to 5-3 for the season.
With today’s win, Patriots coach Bill Belichick passes George Halas for most all-time wins with 325.
Zach Wilson went 20/41 passing for 355 yards, throwing 2 TDS for 3 INTS.
Tyler Conklin had six receptions for 79 yards, and two touchdown catches.
Garrett Wilson caught six receptions for 115 yards.
After the game, Robert Saleh says the team still believes in Zach Wilson. He added that Wilson must protect the ball better, but Saleh said:
“We still have faith in Z.”
“The self-inflicted wounds are what we have to get cleaned up.”
When asked about the roughing the passer penalty on John Franklin-Meyers, Saleh said, “JFM has to be better.”
He said he was told that the Mac Jones hit was “too hard.”
“It was a 10-point swing.”
What’s going on with Zach Wilson is very concerning as Wilson seems to not progress as the quarterback the Jets need him to be now. Wilson needs to control the turnovers before he is nicknamed a turnover machine.
He folds when faced with pressure from the pass rush on the opposing defensive side of the ball. Zach Wilson entered today’s game with a worse completion percentage when passing under pressure as he completes only 18.5 percent of his passes, this is an NFL’s worst.
Wilson is 1-14 with three interceptions when facing pressure. Wilson was pressured 16 times, the most in a game since Week Two of last year against the Patriots.
When asked about the second and third interruptions, Wilson says
“Every time I get out of the Pocket, it just gets frustrating to just throw the ball away. That’s what I’ve done the last four weeks to put us in a good position, to not turn the ball over, and for us to win”
Elijah Moore, active after not participating in last week’s win against the Broncos, only played in 10 of the Jets 58 offensive snaps. When asked about his on-field chemistry with Zach Wilson, Moore said:
“I don’t even know, I couldn’t even tell you. I don’t get the ball, I don’t know.”
The frustration is showing with Moore. The season will determine how they get him involved more within the offense.
Saleh says Moore’s reduced role had nothing to do with his trade request, and they just wanted to give Garrett Wilson more time with Corey Davis sitting out of the Patriots matchup.
The Jets team is in win-now mode, and it hurts to see Zach Wilson play how he’s been when the Jets are loaded with talent and are in win-now mode. The Jets won’t go far in the league if Zach Wilson is playing like a turnover machine because it’s hurting the Jets flow of the season and today’s matchup against the Patriots was a game they should’ve won. They need to figure out ways to make the game easier for Wilson and the Jets to succeed, especially when facing pressure.
Either way, today was a team effort, as that John Franklin Meyer penalty hurt the Jets in tremendous ways, as they could’ve led 17-3 before the half, and the game’s momentum could’ve been in their favor.
The Jets must get the running game going again, even without Breece Hall. His loss was damaging for the team, but hopefully, they can learn to adjust with Carter and newly acquired James Robinson leading the backfield.
The Jets head into Week Nine 5-3, a record nobody could’ve predicted, as they face off against the Buffalo Bills at home.
