The New York Jets looked bad in the first half on Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers even said himself that he played “about as bad as [he] could.” That was the truth, as he was air-mailing open throws and was not on the same page as his talented receivers.
It felt like the story from every other week: another game where the Jets aren’t on the same page with each other, and the lack of chemistry makes it too difficult for them to get a win.
Well, that wasn’t the case. In the second half, things changed. Sparked by the two highlight Garrett Wilson catches, the offense caught fire and scored touchdowns instead of field goals. They did this with an insane amount of injuries.
These injuries would have normally hampered the team and felt like too much to overcome, but not this time. Olu Fashanu and Max Mitchell did as good of a job as you could ask for from two guys playing out of position.
The defense was banged up but did a great job making C.J. Stroud uncomfortable, as Will McDonald, Haason Reddick, and Quinnen Williams all did a fabulous job rushing the passer.
Look, the Jets are 3-6, but if they lost on Thursday night, the season was legitimately over. This win offers a glimmer of hope. The Jets must win the next two games before the bye to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.
How did the Jets find this glimmer of hope? Let’s review the film for the answers.
New York Jets-Houston Texans Film Review
This play is a Packers staple and a Rodgers-to-Adams staple. It’s third-and-3 with the Jets up by 4 late in the fourth; touchdown, and it is game over. Rodgers gets the coverage he wants: 1 high safety and man across the board. The Texans blitz and actually get home, but Rodgers hits the top of his drop and the ball is out.
He plays with such good anticipation on this play, but the timing and execution are so elite because of how many times these two have hit this play. The MOF safety is shaded toward Garrett Wilson, which makes it an easy read for Rodgers.
Also, the tempo of Adams’ release is elite; he does a little hop to close the space in between him and the DB, gets on his toes, and from there, it’s over. Still got a little burst, eh?
A really creative way to get to crack toss. Pony personnel (2RB), with a misdirection run-fake to Braelon Allen and a toss to Breece Hall.
Good crack block from Tyler Conklin on the DE, great perimeter blocking from Tyron Smith, and Adams springs Breece for 16. Smith is so good (usually) when he is pulling on perimeter runs, and he shows that ability to get to the second level quickly here.
Going forward, the Jets need to try to call as many of these runs over inside/outside zone runs as possible.
How did the #Jets FINALLY put their elite talent together?@afialkow21's film review reveals the answers ⬇️ https://t.co/YE8RkD1OLP
— Jets X-Factor (@jetsxfactor) November 2, 2024
Hall excels on the outside where he can just hit the hole and go, not having to think too much and worry about his vision.
Insanely underrated play by Jamien Sherwood. Against outside zone, he doesn’t overpursue and stays patient.
Joe Mixon cuts it back, which looks like it’ll go for a go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. Sherwood sifts through traffic calmly and makes a huge tackle. Great eyes and feel.
He has been such a big player for the Jets in 2024. He really saved them on this play; it felt like a TD was coming and he bursts out of nowhere to make a massive stop. The Jets held them to a FG after this, which was missed. Helluva job, Jamien!
Call. More. Crossing. Routes.
High red zone play here, where Garrett Wilson has 1-on-1 coverage and is running a shallow crosser. Watching this back, it is crazy how quickly Rodgers sees this at the last second and gets the throw off.
His eyes are on Adams the entire drop back until the last second! Make no mistake, this is a great throw, but also an exceptional one-handed catch by Wilson. Rodgers does a good job creating a millisecond in the pocket to get the throw off. He stands in there, gets hit, and makes the big-time throw.
Love to see him hang in the pocket and be willing to take the hit and make the play. More of this!
Last but certainly not least is the outstanding one-handed catch from Garrett Wilson. The Jets are running four verticals on third and 19. The Texans’ weak side safety doesn’t get depth, so it’s a 1-on-1 for Wilson.
This is just outstanding body control and an absurd catch. He just gets his shin in for the massive play. I’m really happy for Garrett overall. He’s been frustrated, but Thursday night has got to have him feeling great moving forward. Hopefully, he is a Jet for life.
