For the Jets, Zach Wilson made his season debut, and a much-maligned defense answered the bell.
This was one of those games where Jets head coach Robert Saleh can point to as a bullet point for justifying his young team is moving in the right direction.
This wasn’t a pretty performance; however, it’s not always going to be. If the Jets are to take the next step in their rebuild, winning ugly is part of the equation.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday when the Jets beat the Steelers, 24-20, at Acrisure Stadium.
Rookie running back Breece Hall scored the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard plunge with 16 seconds left. It was a fourth quarter comeback for the Jets (2-2), their second win of the season and plenty of smiles afterwards.
Two wins, two crazy comebacks. The Jets, if anything, have shown they’re resilient. If they can build consistency in the columns which matter most, there will be plenty more reasons to smile.
Here are my observations, beginning with QB1:
Zach Wilson looked the part today
Wilson finished 18 of 36 for 252 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. It was his first game since injuring his right knee in the preseason opener.
First, I loved the play call in the second quarter which led to Wilson catching a two-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Berrios. The trick play was the Jets’ version of the “Philly Special” run by the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
In the beginning, Wilson looked poised and comfortable in the pocket. He took what the Steelers’ defense gave him. It was, however, how he responded after a handful of setbacks which showed me something.
The Steelers, leading 20-10, were thriving off the energy provided by rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett in his NFL debut. Wilson responded with key throws to Garrett Wilson (on 3rd and 6 for 35 yards) and Corey Davis (on 4th and 7 for 22 yards. Wilson would hit Davis again, on 3rd and goal, for a five-yard touchdown. The extra point by Greg Zuerlein closed the gap to 20-17.
The Jets defense would get back the ball with an interception by Michael Carter II. Wilson, again, displayed plenty of poise. He hit Conklin, on third-and-six, for eight yards to move the chains with two minutes remaining. Later in the drive, Wilson would find Davis again for 17 yards which set the Jets up in the red zone for, eventually, the go-ahead score by Hall.
The defense won the turnover battle
When Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks back at the film, he’ll likely shake his head at four turnovers by his team.
Four interceptions, three sacks are season highs for the Jets defense.
The pass rush is still a work in progress. Furthermore, there’s still some head-scratching penalties which need to be cleaned up immediately. Carl Lawson called for roughing the passer led to a 59-yard field goal before halftime, by Chris Boswell.
However, when the team needed stops today, the defense responded for Saleh and his coaching staff.
Carter’s interception helped set the Jets up for their game-winning drive. LaMarcus Joyner had two interceptions, including the game-ending pick on a Kenny Pickett hail-mary attempt.
Quinnen Williams is having a strong season, he finished with six tackles and a sack.
In a game where the opponent is struggling to find answers at quarterback, it’s a must for the defense to apply pressure when it matters most. Today, the Jets did that.
The Offensive Line — Yikes
This is a tricky observation, because I don’t feel this is the week to be too critical of the O-Line. The Jets were able to run the football, 98 yards on 29 carries, averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Wilson threw for 250 yards, making critical plays in the second half. The O-Line, as banged-up as they are, held up today.
Conor McDermott helped stabilize the line, specifically in the fourth quarter. He’s had some struggles this season, but the Jets are so depleted at the tackle position, they need him to build on this week’s performance.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
