Zach Wilson: Jets QB starts Thursday night against Jaguars in crucial battle for playoff spots | NFL News
Zach Wilson: Jets QB starts Thursday night against Jaguars in crucial battle for playoff spots | NFL News
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Sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson will start again for the New York Jets Thursday night
Zach Wilson will once again be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a thrilling matchup Thursday night – live on InNewCL Sports – with massive playoff implications.
Wilson, the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has weathered a difficult sophomore season in New York, being benched for backup Mike White before suffering a rib injury in the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, leading to Wilson’s Return led to the lineup for Sunday’s 20-17 home loss to the Detroit Lions.
Wilson completed 18 of 35 passes in the contest for 317 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw a costly interception in the third quarter and missed several seemingly easy completions.
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Highlights of the Detroit Lions vs. New York Jets encounter in Week 15 of the NFL
Highlights of the Detroit Lions vs. New York Jets encounter in Week 15 of the NFL
Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who moved to the Wilson bench mid-season, confirmed earlier this week that White remains injury-free while also blaming the “instant coffee world” for the demands placed on Wilson so early were asked NFL career.
“The frustrating thing is that this kid is going to be a good quarterback,” Saleh told reporters. “But the NFL and this new instant coffee world that we’re in just don’t want to give people time.
“So we look at him and he’s just pecked with a fine comb.”
Wilson’s bench press came after a Week 11 loss to the New England Patriots, in which the QB had his worst performance of the season as a sophomore, completing 9 of 22 passes for just 77 yards.
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He was also criticized for his one-word “no” response to reporters when asked after the game if he thought he had let down the Jets’ defense, though he has since credited his teammates for his actions has excused.
Saleh said at the time of Wilson’s bench press that there was “no nail in the coffin” regarding his future with the team and that “Zach’s career isn’t over here.”
He doubled that this week, with the head coach adding: “No one is going to give up on someone just because it feels like they’re not showing up in year one or so.
“Zach is growing. He grows with this team, he grows with all of us.”
Baldinger: Wilson is way too frenetic
Saleh also praised Wilson’s performance in the team’s most recent loss to the Lions on Sunday, saying the 23-year-old made “a big step” despite the inconsistent nature of his performance.
Wilson’s second TD throw of the game against tight end CJ Uzomah gave the Jets a 17-13 lead with less than five minutes in the game, but they would go on a fourth-and-a with a 51-yard touchdown reception from Brock Wright Game within the last two minutes.
“I’m really excited about him because in his past he kind of derailed when he hit a speed bump in a game,” Saleh said. “But I thought he did a really good job getting back on the rails and coming back up in the fourth quarter to lead a touchdown drive.”
However, former offensive lineman and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger wasn’t convinced by what he was seeing of Wilson, telling InNewCL Sports: “I just feel like he’s way too rushed at the moment.
“He did a couple of splash plays the other day – we’ll give him credit – and he’s got a big arm, but the reason they went for Mike White is because he can make the plays out of the bag that you has to do, he gets the ball out of his hands and throws the ball unerringly. He can’t stay healthy right now, otherwise he’d be in there.
“Wilson has a chance with a big game against Jacksonville on Thursday night. It’s a great opportunity to try and turn your season around. They probably need to win to qualify for the playoffs.”
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A third straight loss dropped the Jets to 7-7 on the season and leaves them on the outside of the AFC playoff picture by three games. The Miami Dolphins (8-6) currently claim the seventh seed and final wild card spot in the conference.
Koyack: We’ve seen “Generation” Jags QB Lawrence “grow.”
But the Jaguars (6-8) are also vying for a postseason spot – and still have a shot at winning the AFC South Division title – making Thursday night’s matchup all the more important for both teams.
The Jaguars have carved their way into the competition by winning two straight and three of their last four, most recently a dramatic 40-34 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.
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Highlights from the Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars encounter in Week 15 of the NFL
Highlights from the Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars encounter in Week 15 of the NFL
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson isn’t getting carried away just yet, telling reporters this week: “I’m not really thinking about Thursday, to be honest. We have a good football team to play against.
“Anything is possible. I understand that. We still have a long way to go. But if we continue to improve on what we achieved here in the last month of the season, then I think it’s possible.”
Trevor Lawrence, who picked the first overall pick in the same draft as Wilson — a pick ahead of the Jets’ QB — has been a key component of the team’s recent success, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes and 318 yards (and one interception) against Dallas. Thirteen of his 24 TD passes this season have come in Jacksonville’s last five games.
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NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger breaks down Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s growth into his second season in the NFL
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger breaks down Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s growth into his second season in the NFL
Former Jaguars tight end Ben Koyack was impressed by what he saw. “When he left college, even high school, Lawrence was always heralded as this generational talent,” he told InNewCL Sports.
“Last year people started questioning that. But this year we’ve seen him grow. In these last couple of games we’ve seen players, his supporting cast, step up and really support him.
“It makes it a lot easier as a quarterback to go out and do your job — and do it with confidence.”
Lawrence now has a chance to beat one over his 2021 draft colleague Wilson in Thursday night’s second meeting between the top two overall picks.
It was Wilson who prevailed in their first Boxing Day encounter last season as the Jets claimed a 26-21 victory.
Watch Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets on Thursday Night Football live on InNewCL Sports NFL from 1:15 in the early hours of Friday morning.
