Zach Wilson will make his second start of the season against the Miami Dolphins Sunday. (Winslow Townson, AP)
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson’s first start of the season resulted in a comeback victory.
What does Wilson take away from that game that he can carry into this weekend’s game against the Dolphins?
“Resilience from everyone up front,” Wilson said. “The O-line hunker down, anchoring down, giving me some good time back there.
“Then the receivers doing a great job winning their one on ones separating. The defense getting some good stops, not quitting. Understanding that the NFL can be ugly, wins are hard to come by and guys just kept fighting until the end.”
Wilson returned under center last week after spending the previous seven weeks on the sideline due to a meniscus injury and a bone bruise. Backup Joe Flacco filled in for Wilson while recovering and rehabbing from his injury. The Jets didn’t officially announce him to start until two days before their game against the Steelers.
Wilson had an inconsistent first start of the season, especially looking at his overall numbers. He completed 18 of 36 passes for 252 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Although Wilson looked rusty for the better part of three quarters against the Steelers, he played well during the critical moments of last Sunday’s game. During the fourth quarter, Wilson finished 10 of 12 as he threw for 128 yards and a touchdown pass.
Down 10 points halfway through the fourth quarter, Wilson led the Jets on two drives that changed the game’s outcome. First, Wilson threw a touchdown to Corey Davis that cut the Steelers lead to 20-17.
Before the start of the Jets last drive of the game late in the fourth quarter, Wilson displayed confidence in the Jets’ huddle after he said, “Let’s score a f’ing touchdown.”
“I think part of it was our mentality as an offense and what we were trying to do in this growth mindset,” Wilson said. “You step in a huddle, you look at a situation and you kind of feel the momentum and vibes.
“I think that’s a cool thing, a special thing and we learned a lot from that last drive. It’s going to be good for us moving forward.”
Apparently, Wilson’s message resonated with the rest of the team as on the Jets final drive, Wilson helped march the team down 70 yards, which set up running back Breece Hall’s two yard game-winning touchdown that put them up 24-20.
“He handed the rest of the group with resilience,” Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “To put together those two drives in the fourth quarter says a lot about those guys.
“It says a lot about him as a leader as he continues to grow and grow and mature compared to where he was last year in terms of being a leader. Through experience, it’s going to continue to get better and better.
“For him to lead that group and those guys to go out and make the plays we needed him to — I wish we wouldn’t have been put in that position. I gotta do a better job of making sure that doesn’t happen. But those guys took over in the fourth quarter and made a lot of plays.”
Now Wilson will look to lead the Jets to another victory against a divisional rival. The Dolphins come into Sunday’s matchup 3-1, which includes wins over AFC East foes New England and Buffalo.
Wilson and the Jets will be facing a Dolphins defense that ranks 31st in passing defense, allowing 299.3 yards per game through the air. Miami could be without its Pro Bowl cornerback.
Xavien Howard is “day to day” with a groin injury that forced him to exit last Thursday’s game against the Bengals. He also has missed the last two days of practice, which is not the best sign that he will play Sunday.
Wilson himself is dealing with an ankle injury as head coach Robert Saleh called it “nicks and bruises,” but also said the second-year player is fine. He practiced Wednesday on a limited basis but fully practiced Thursday,
“It’s just a little ankle,” Wilson said. “I was still able to do all the walkthrough reps and stuff like that.
“Unfortunately, that’s what the NFL is getting to anyway, so a lot of guys can stay healthy. I was able to get a full practice today and get a majority of those reps, so I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Four days after scoring his game-winning touchdown against the Steelers, Hall was named NFL Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week.
Hall rushed for 66 yards on 17 carries against the Steelers. He also caught 2 passes for 12 yards. He joins Garrett Wilson as the second Jets player to win the award this season. Wilson was named the Rookie of the Week after catching eight receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns during the Jets Week 2 victory against the Cleveland Browns.
INJURY REPORT
Jets right tackle Max Mitchell (knee) and linebacker Quincy Williams (ankle) did not practice Thursday. The two players also missed Wednesday’s practice and both will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
Linebacker Marcell Harris (neck) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. Hall (knee) was limited for the second consecutive day.
()
Originally published at Tribune News Service