Zach Wilson is a quandary and a contradiction wrapped in his No. 2 green-and-white Jets jersey.
The Jets hope, as they embark on their last eight video games after an eye-opening (if surprising) 6-3 begin, that Wilson doesn’t turn into one thing else as they chase a primary playoff berth in 12 seasons: A legal responsibility.
Former NFL coach Invoice Parcells at all times judged quarterbacks by two issues: wins and getting their groups into the top zone.
Wilson is 5-1 as a starter this season, which is, in fact, crucial statistic of all.
However there are some causes for potential concern going ahead. In his 167 move makes an attempt this season, Wilson has thrown solely 4 landing passes. Over a 17-game season, that initiatives to simply 11 landing passes, a tempo that’s doubtless not going to be sufficient if the Jets are going to be a correct menace in January.
Wilson, for his spectacular won-loss report, has not been getting the offense into the top zone typically sufficient. Solely 5 AFC groups and 5 NFC groups have produced fewer factors than the 196 the Jets have scored this season.
To be truthful to Wilson, he’s simply 23 years previous and solely 19 begins into his profession.
However the speedy success of latest high-draft-pick quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow can turn into a curse whenever you’re the No. 2-overall choose within the draft as Wilson was in ’21.
And, the Jets have out of the blue (if unexpectedly) morphed right into a win-now mode. That has turned this season, which started as a show-us-who-you-are referendum for Wilson has turn into a lot, rather more than a developmental 12 months with the playoffs inside tantalizing attain.
Make no mistake: The Jets’ formulation — terrific protection and a extremely good operating sport — has been profitable by way of 9 video games.
However they’re doubtless going to wish extra, starting Sunday at Gillette Stadium in their second assembly in a month with the 5-4 Patriots.
New England coach Invoice Belichick, as he certainly did earlier than the groups’ first assembly (a 22-17 Patriots win on Oct. 30), is probably going telling his protection that if it shuts down the Jets operating sport Wilson received’t be capable to beat them along with his proper arm.
The Patriots are nearly sure to stack the field with eight (and typically extra) defenders and dare Wilson to beat them by way of the air.
The query then turns into this: What's the Jets’ confidence degree that they'll win video games on the energy of Wilson’s passing prowess?
“Excessive confidence,” Jets receiver Braxton Berrios mentioned.
“Final confidence,” Jets middle Connor McGovern echoed.
Wilson, who’s by no means thrown for greater than two touchdowns in a sport and has thrown for 2 solely 5 occasions in 19 video games, has supplied some proof that he can sling it round when wanted. The best way he performed within the 24-20 comeback victory over the Steelers on Oct. 2 — which additionally occurred to be his first begin of the season after getting back from a preseason knee harm — was Exhibit A.
Wilson performed his worst sport of the season within the loss to the Patriots final month, throwing three interceptions, the final two of which have been careless heaves into the New England secondary. Oddly, that sport was the primary and solely time Wilson as thrown for 300 or extra yards (355) in his profession.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh mentioned Wilson’s critics “are type of holding him hostage to 4, 5 performs that he had in opposition to New England.”
The week after the loss to the Patriots, Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur did a terrific job of dialing again what he requested Wilson to do, notably with downfield reads, and emphasised Wilson eliminating the ball faster with quicker, making extra decisive throws.
That led to the most effective performances of his profession in a 20-17 upset win over the Payments, in opposition to whom Wilson was 18 of 25 (his highest completion share of his profession at 72.0) for 154 yards with one landing and no turnovers.
As environment friendly as these numbers have been, they weren’t precisely carry-the-team-on-your-shoulders numbers, and that’s one thing we haven’t seen from Wilson in his 19 profession begins.
To date, the Jets haven’t requested him — or wanted him — for that.
“Zach’s going to do what it takes to win,” McGovern mentioned. “He understands he doesn’t need to throw 50 occasions and put up 4 touchdowns within the air to win video games proper now the way in which this workforce is taking part in, and he’s completely cool with doing that.”
The query is how lengthy can the Jets proceed to win this manner?
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