Zach Wilson’s return has been ugly in the early going, but a late scoring drive has offered hope
Like it or not, the New York Jets‘ 2021 season is going to be defined by the antics of rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.
While the early portions of his return from a sprained PCL injury left much to be desired, a late scoring drive offered hope in the midst of a matchup against the equally woebegone Houston Texans.
Wilson led the Jets on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Austin Walter’s debut NFL touchdown, narrowing a Houston lead to 14-11 at the halftime gun after Josh Johnson ran in a two-point conversion.
The Texans established the early lead with a pair of Tyrod Taylor touchdown passes to Brevin Jordan and Brandin Cooks.
Jets Leaders
- PASSING: Zach Wilson (6 of 12, 44 yards, 1 INT)
- RUSHING: Tevin Coleman (6 carries, 31 yards)
- RECEIVING: Keelan Cole (1 reception, 11 yards)
Texans Leaders
- PASSING: Tyrod Taylor (12 of 17, 134 yards, 2 TD, INT)
- RUSHING: David Johnson (8 carries, 31 yards)
- RECEIVING: Brandin Cooks (2 receptions, 41 yards, TD)
https://twitter.com/Yankeelibrarian/status/1465035627305619466
Welcome Back, Zach
Wilson had a brilliant opportunity to kickstart his return from injury, as his first possession began inside the Houston 40.
He got things off to a good start on an 11-yard strike to Elijah Moore but misfired on his next five passes, one of which was a bizarre interception when Ty Johnson’s back was turned on a long third down.
That unforced error, landing in the arms of Tavierre Thomas, set up the Texans’ first touchdown of the day. Assuming that Wilson would be firing on all cylinders upon his return was foolhardy for even the most optimistic Jets fan, but it’s fair to say his early misfires and early lack of chemistry with Moore is concerning.
One can also ponder how much the absence of the injured Corey Davis, the favorite target of his brief New York career, is affecting his performance. A 15-yard penalty that saw Wilson get his helmet torn off seemed to be a catalyst of sorts, as he completed 5-of-6 passes on the Jets’ final drive of the half, one that ended in an Austin Walter touchdown.
John Franklin Myers! A JAMANTA interceptando! 🤣😤 #TakeFlight
📺 Faça seu cadastro! 6 reais por uma semana de acesso ilimitado! Aproveite! ➡️ https://t.co/xx5pxCAdI7pic.twitter.com/8kCtBZYQMg
— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) November 28, 2021
JFM … OMG
John Franklin-Myers introduced himself to the professional football scene through his Texas-based endeavors at Greenville High School and Stephen F. Austin.
Having granted a healthy number of tickets to friends and family at NRG Stadium—fine time for a new contract extension—Franklin-Myers has embarked on a thrilling one-man show.
He set the Jets up with healthy field position when he tipped and intercepted a Tyrod Taylor pass, his first career such turnover. He has also contributed to a sterling Jets effort upfront, as they’ve earned four sacks in the first half.
The secondary has been the defense’s issue in the early going. Michael Carter briefly had to leave with an apparent back injury while Taylor has picked on Bryce Hall in the early going, particularly through a 40-yard score to Brandin Cooks that established a two-possession lead.
LET BRANDIN COOK 🍴@brandincooks | 📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/z26ryzdCxY
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 28, 2021
AUSTIN WALTER WITH HIS FIRST CAREER TD!!!!
(Via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/rVWm7qcJUc
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 28, 2021
San Francisco Treats
With the Jets seeking to soothe Wilson back into the NFL game, Robert Saleh’s fellow former San Francisco coworker Tevin Coleman has taken on a starring role in the offense.
Though Coleman has dealt with injuries for a good majority of the season, the two-time Super Bowl participant has kept things rolling with 31 yards on six carries, giving Wilson relative peace of mind as he tries to rediscover his spark.
The running game was also established through another Bay Area alum and former XFL star Austin Walter, who picked a vital 12-yard rush that gave the Jets a goal-to-go situation on the aforementioned final drive before punching it on from two yards out.
Talk to him nice 💪@Brevinjordan | 📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/AHcGkzmuMW
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 28, 2021
THE TAKEAWAY TRAIN IS STILL CHUGGING 🚂💨
@TavierreT | 📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/HwFcwdVxAW
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 28, 2021
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
