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Wealthy Cimini, ESPN Workers Author
ARLINGTON, Texas — The New York Jets’ first recreation with out Aaron Rodgers was a catastrophe, as quarterback Zach Wilson threw three interceptions in a 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Afterward, the Jets rallied round Rodgers’ alternative with confidence-building phrases and gestures.
Within the locker room, vast receiver Garrett Wilson put his arm across the younger QB and gave him phrases of encouragement. The three tight ends have been there too, displaying assist. It was a telling scene, because the Jets (1-1) made it a degree to not forged any blame on their former starter-turned-backup.
“From the skin trying in, it is easy to play the quarterback blame recreation,” Garrett Wilson stated. “Actually, that is the world we dwell in, the place you take a look at the highest man — the pinnacle man, the quarterback, the one who makes the cash — after which level the finger. However all of us internally know that all of us need to take the fitting steps and get higher.”
The Jets endured a making an attempt six days, dropping Rodgers to a season-ending Achilles tendon harm and having to pivot on a brief week to Zach Wilson, who was demoted twice final season amid profound struggles. Aside from one shining second — a 68-yard landing move to Garrett Wilson, who gained 55 yards after the catch — it was a dismal outing for the signal-caller and the offense on Sunday.
The sport ended with 4 turnovers on New York’s final 5 sequence, together with interceptions on the ultimate three possessions. An 18-10 halftime deficit changed into a fourth-quarter blowout, which undoubtedly will improve the skin noise amongst those that need the entrance workplace to amass one other quarterback.
Zach Wilson accomplished 12 of 27 passes for 170 yards, throwing for under 76 yards within the second half. Coach Robert Saleh defended the efficiency, absolving Wilson of blame on the second and third interceptions.
“I assumed he did a pleasant job,” Saleh stated. “Clearly, late within the recreation, he needed to pressure the ball to make one thing occur and, clearly, it did not go our manner. There was a miscommunication on one among his interceptions with him and the again. They’ve a hell of a entrance.
“He did a very nice job within the pocket, extending performs, scrambling. He had a few good off-schedule performs. It simply wasn’t adequate.”
The Jets are exploring the potential for including a 3rd quarterback, maybe as quickly as this week, however have said emphatically that Wilson would be the QB1. This was purported to be a studying 12 months for the 2021 No. 2 general draft decide, however every part modified on the fourth play of the primary recreation when Rodgers went down.
Wilson’s efficiency on Sunday — no less than statistically — was strikingly just like many previous video games. (He started the day with 16 landing passes and 19 interceptions over his profession.) He’s no stranger to adversity, however he insisted he’s higher geared up to deal with it this time.
“Completely, man,” he stated. “I really feel like I am seeing [the field] nicely, I actually do. It is simply actually unlucky to point out that as an offense. Now we have to be higher, I should be higher, however we’re proper there.”
Wilson was below heavy duress, as he was pressured on 16 of 30 dropbacks, in line with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. (That does not embrace his 5 scrambles for a team-high 36 dashing yards.) Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was a pressure, recording two sacks and 9 pressures. Wilson accomplished solely 2 of 13 passes when pressured, persevering with a development. Since coming into the league in 2021, he’s the worst quarterback within the NFL when pressured, in line with the statistics.
However among the stress might be attributed to Wilson, who held the ball too lengthy at occasions. He had no assist from the working recreation, as Breece Corridor and Dalvin Cook dinner mixed for under 16 yards on eight carries. Cook dinner additionally misplaced a fumble. The Jets bumped into plenty of eight-man fronts, and maybe a quarterback with Rodgers’ expertise would have been in a position to change the play on the line of scrimmage.
Corridor appeared sad together with his workload.
“I imply, I solely received 4 touches. That is why we struggled,” he stated. “It’s what it’s. We simply received down early immediately and simply deserted the run. That sort of stuff occurs. You’re feeling like you must get again within the recreation and it simply slips away.”
That, coupled with uncharacteristic defensive struggles, put plenty of stress on Wilson. However he did not appear discouraged by his efficiency.
“It is robust, man,” Wilson stated. “I assumed I used to be seeing it nicely for the primary three quarters of that recreation, however we stored getting stopped.”
