A sterling second half allowed the New York Jets to end a lengthy losing streak
If whatever was said in the New York Jets‘ locker room during the halftime break of Sunday’s Week 14 tilt against the Houston Texans, it could perhaps make millions on the motivational market.
After an imperfect opening half that featured punts on 11 of a dozen possessions — the outlier consisting of a single kneeldown — the Jets broke through for five scores over the latter half-hour en route to a 30-6 victory over Houston. Zach Wilson was responsible for two of the touchdowns through the air while Xavier Gipson ran in another.
With the win, the Jets (5-8) ended a five-game losing streak and scored three touchdowns in a single game for the first time since a November 2022 win over Chicago. The Jets also owned a three-possession lead for the first time this season.
Defenses ruled the way in the first 30, but an unlikely hero broke through on the scoreboard: in the capper of a seven-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half, Wilson found Randall Cobb from 15 away, accounting for the former Aaron Rodgers disciple’s first score as a Jet.
We have points!! Zach Wilson to Randall Cobb for a 15-yard TD.
Jets are up vs. Houston.pic.twitter.com/9c1BBMhWoQ https://t.co/E9jCt5CYkU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 10, 2023
The Jets only took yardage away on the Texans’ next possession, most of it taken away on Quinnen Williams‘ sack of C.J. Stroud. In a stark departure from the way most of this season has gone, the offense came through with an eight-play, 69-yard trek that ended with a nine-yard rushing cash-in by Gipson.
.@QuinnenWilliams is THAT GUY ¯_(ツ)_/¯#HOUvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/XfRq3knDYo
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 10, 2023
Xavier Gipson gives the @nyjets a 2-TD lead!
📺: #HOUvsNYJ on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/FnyY71HJ2I— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
Houston (7-6) briefly averted its fate on a one-yard Devin Singletary touchdown run set up by Wilson’s lone flaw of the afternoon: a fumble forced by Christian Harris on a scramble, which allowed Houston to make up 57 yards on four plays en route to Singletary’s punch-in. The ensuing extra point attempt by former Jet Matt Ammendola was no good.
Houston is on the board thanks to Devin Singletary #WeAreTexans #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) December 10, 2023
But the Jets broke Houston’s will for good on the next drive, punching the ball in on a three-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Breece Hall.
The Jets will look to throw another wrench into the AFC playoff picture next Sunday when they finish their yearly pair with the Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
