Defenders take center stage in win over Houston
Zach Wilson’s return was heralded with a win, as the New York Jets topped the Houston Texans by a 21-14 final at NRG Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Jets’ defensive effort was the focal point of the victory, allowing the Texans only 202 yards of offense, their lowest yardage total allowed since a November 2018 loss to Miami.
Though Wilson struggled in his first NFL action since Oct. 24 (14-of-24, 145 yards, 1 INT), he managed to lead the Jets (3-8) on a game-winning touchdown trek in the third quarter, capping things off with a four-yard rushing score, the first of his professional career.
Sunday’s win ends a three-game losing streak for the Jets and serves as their first road victory since last December’s triumph in Los Angeles. It is their first road win in front of fans since a December 2019 victory in Buffalo.
Jet X has game balls to distribute from the win.
Honorable Mentions
- RB Austin Walter (9 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD)
- RB Ty Johnson (6 carries, 42 yards)
- WR Elijah Moore (4 rec., 46 yards, 1 carry, 7 yards)
- WR Braxton Berrios (2 rec. 47 yards, 2 ret., 46 yards)
- LB C.J. Mosley (8 tackles, 1 PD)
- LB Quincy Williams (7 tackles, 1 sack)
- CB Javelin Guidry (3 tackles, 1 PD)
- DE Ronald Blair (6 tackles, 1 sack)
- CB Bryce Hall (3 tackles, 1 PD)
Tevin Coleman finds a seam, Jets at the 35. pic.twitter.com/0ioo7Unmkt
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) November 28, 2021
3rd Star: RB Tevin Coleman
16 carries, 67 yards
Injuries have eaten away at another season for Tevin Coleman, but he flourished in primary rushing duties in the wake of Michael Carter’s absence.
The two-time Super Bowl participant headlined the Jets’ run game that came up big in providing a security blanket for Wilson, as the Coleman-Walter-Johnson battery united for 147 yards on 31 carries.
While Wilson struggled in his first game back, the run game’s efforts allowed the Jets to continue to foster the seeds of consistency they planted while Wilson recovered.
Love seeing @QuinnenWilliams troll Auburn pic.twitter.com/3gmIO5mPMJ
— Chillbo Shwaggins (@TheColinCooper) November 28, 2021
2nd Star: DE Quinnen Williams
7 tackles, 1 sack
It’s possible that no one in the New York area had a more festive Thanksgiving weekend than Quinnen Williams – his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide emerged victorious in a legendary victory at the Iron Bowl and he continued to feast on Sunday.
He and his brother Quincy once again shared real estate in the sack column of the box score, while Quinnen came up big on his final stop of the day, forcing Rex Burkhead into a loss on a one-yard third down that forced Houston to throw in an effort to keep their hopes alive. Bryce Hall’s pass breakup one play later more or less sealed the deal.
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
1st Star: DL John Franklin-Myers
3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT
If John Franklin-Myers was looking to remind the world why he was the recipient of a four-year, $55 million contract extension, Sunday was the perfect time to do so.
Not only was Franklin-Myers looking to redeem himself for a costly roughing penalty in last week’s loss to Miami but he had numerous friends and family members on hand for his Texas homecoming. Franklin-Myers originally burst onto the scene as a football star at Greenville High School and Stephen F. Austin University.
His early efforts helped the Jets keep pace in the early going. He tipped and caught a Tyrod Taylor pass to earn his first career interception, one that ended Houston’s 62-yard opening drive prematurely. He’d later earn two sacks of Taylor that helped keep the score manageable in the first half before partaking in the bunkered down effort in the latter frames.
Houston (2-9) earned only 45 yards in the second half, 11 of which came on a desperate final drive.
“He is worth his weight in gold,” head coach Robert Saleh said of Franklin-Myers, per notes from the Jets. “JFM has a very high standard for himself and I know he was beating himself up all week for that play, but at the same time he comes out to practice every day and works his butt off. It was really cool to see him get the production he did.”
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
