NY Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons halftime report: Zach Wilson struggling mightily

The New York Jets trail the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 20-3 at halftime with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson struggling mightily.

Geoff Magliocchetti

10/10/2021

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Getty Images

The New York Jets’ first half in London couldn’t have gone much worse

It’s as if the New York Jets‘ thrilling 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 didn’t even happen. Zach Wilson and the team have reverted back to the overthinking football quad fans witnessed in the first three weeks of the 2021 NFL season.

Atlanta takes a 20-3 lead into halftime in London.

Jets Leaders

PASSING: Zach Wilson (5 of 13, 42 yards, 1 INT)
RUSHING: Michael Carter (5 carries, 20 yards)
RECEIVING: Corey Davis (2 receptions, 17 yards)

Falcons Leaders

PASSING: Matt Ryan (18 of 27, 189 yards, 2 TD)
RUSHING: Cordarrelle Patterson (8 carries, 42 yards)
RECEIVING: Kyle Pitts (6 receptions, 64 yards, TD)

First Frown

The Jets’ offense has forced itself into uncomfortable situations through first down failures. Not only did it take them four drives to finally earn some extra ones, but they also tallied only 11 on their first six, facing sizable second and third down requirements.

Michael Carter was finally able to break the streak with a powerful nine-yard run that put the Jets in the red zone. They’ll have to make better decisions on the first two chances if they hope to further cut into the Atlanta lead.

This Is the Pitts

Though Calvin Ridley remains in the States due to a personal issue, the Falcons have already found replacement firepower. Tight ends have been particularly troubling, as Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst have announced for Atlanta’s early six-pointers while uniting for 97 yards. Cordarelle Patterson has also been a threat both on the ground and through the air.

It was part of the Jets’ first defensive shortcoming of the season: the pass rush, so vengeful against the Titans, was non-existent, failing to get to the stagnant Ryan after sacking Ryan Tannehill seven times last season.

The Jets did enjoy two big plays in the frame: C.J. Mosley forced a fumble from Hurst that was recovered by Carter (the unit’s third takeaway of the season) while Bryce Hall’s big play nearly led to its first interception of the year.

Alas, careless penalties have defined the day: a big Pitts gain was exacerbated by Nathan Shepard’s low hit on Ryan, while a Jarrod Wilson hold in coverage kept Atlanta’s final drive of the half alive after the Jets cut into the lead.

Kyle Pitts first NFL touchdown caps off a 92-yard drive‼️

📺: NFLN | @kylepitts__ pic.twitter.com/k52D45KUsU

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 10, 2021

UNLEASH MIMS!!!!

— Trending Topic 🤫 (@BigTicket73) October 10, 2021

Cast Denzel

With the exception of the recovering Jeff Smith, Wilson has had a full, healthy arsenal of receivers to work with. That includes Denzel Mims, who’s active for the second consecutive weekend.

Alas, Mims had trouble seeing the field. In fact, it took Corey Davis (briefly) limping off the field for the second-round choice to see the field. His dressed absence was noticed by Mekhi Becton, who took to Twitter from home to express his desire to see Mims in the game—and that’s probably not because of fantasy reasons.