Thursday night did not go well for the New York Jets. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Jets 19-3 and New York’s playoff hopes, which were once-promising, are now in serious danger. It was especially frustrating for Zach Wilson. He played the first half and the first two possessions of the second quarter. The offense was ineffective and the fans at MetLife Stadium made their frustrations known, reigning heavy boos onto the second-year quarterback as he continued to struggle.
After the game, he opened up on that. After a terrible performance earlier in the season, Wilson infamously said that he didn’t let his team down, something his teammates didn’t appreciate and that he later regretted. Following Thursday’s loss, Wilson was asked about the booing. This time, he had a more professional response.
“I don’t blame them,” he said in his postgame press conference, H/T Jets Videos, SNY. “We have a very passionate fanbase and they’re here to score — they’re here to watch us score touchdowns and we’re not scoring touchdowns. We’re not getting first downs, we’re not moving the ball. We obviously can’t throw the ball. Of course they are going to be frustrated.”
What happened after Wilson was pulled was the worst of all worlds for the Jets, their fans and even Wilson.
The Jets immediately began to move the ball better with Chris Streveler under center. They picked up more yards in Streveler’s first possession than in Wilson’s seven possessions combined. However, moving the ball better didn’t translate to any points. So, the Jets and their fans saw a marked improvement with Wilson on the bench, but not good enough to help them win, or even get back into the game.
What happens next for New York remains to be seen. The general feeling is that if Mike White is cleared, he’ll be the starting quarterback.
Of course, that may be easier said than done.
The Jets also could be eliminated before their Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks. If the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots all win and either the Cleveland Browns or Baltimore Ravens win or tie in Week 16, New York will be eliminated.
With this game just about a wrap, the Jets loss means they're eliminated from playoff contention be either:
1. LAC win (@ IND) + MIA win (vs. GB) + NE win (vs. CIN) + BAL win/tie (vs. ATL)
OR
2. LAC win + MIA win + NE win + CLE win/tie (vs. NO)
— David Fucillo (@davidfucillo) December 23, 2022
That would probably have something to do with what decision the Jets make.
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