HOUSTON — It was the definition of a team win for Gang Green. The offense was balanced, and the defense played lights out and the end result was a 21-14 win over the Houston Texans.
Zach Wilson had a pedestrian day in his return to action as he went 14-for-24 for 145 yards with a rushing touchdown and an interception.
But the run game was dominant and put up 157 yards of offense. The Jets averaged 4.6 yards per carry, led by Tevin Coleman who ran for 67 yards. Austin Walter scored a touchdown.
The defense held the Texans to 202 yards and 14 points. Bryce Hall sealed the victory with a pass breakup on 4th-and-2 with two minutes remaining. A total difference compared to what the defense showed in the previous five games.
It was needed as the rookie quarterback shook off the rust from missing four games with a sprained knee.
And out the gate, Wilson struggled. He looked jittery in the pocket, was inaccurate on a few of his throws that resulted in the ball skipping at his receivers’ feet.
On his second drive, he inexplicably threw an interception when he appeared to be scrambling. But right before he crossed the line of scrimmage, he flicked a pass to Ty Johnson, who wasn’t looking, and it bounced off Johnson’s back and Tavierre Thomas intercepted the pass.
At that point Wilson was 1-for-6 for 11 yards with an interception. And that completed pass was a push pass behind the line of scrimmage to Elijah Moore on a jet sweep.
It was clear as day, The No. 2 overall pick was rusty.
Five plays later, Tyrod Taylor threw a touchdown pass to tight end Brevin Jordan and the Texans led 7-3 early in the second quarter.
The offense sputtered and the defense allowed another touchdown and Gang Green trailed 14-3.
But right before the end of the first half, Wilson settled down.
He went 5-for-6 for 33 yards. Not an eye-popping stat line. But he converted a 3rd-and-9 to Ryan Griffin that kept the drive alive, and Walter scored a touchdown. The Jets went for two to pull within 14-11.
In the second half, Wilson was much better. In the third quarter, his first pass was a rifle to Moore for a 22-yard gain on a curl route and that helped get Wilson comfortable.
That drive ended in a Wilson rushing touchdown and the Jets led, 18-14. Wilson finished the quarter with 81 yards. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but he doubled the first half yardage and got into a rhythm.
The Jets offense sputtered in the fourth, but they were able to secure a field goal and their defense finished the Texans off.
With the hype surrounding Wilson’s return it was the run game and the defense that played light out. Now the Jets are 3-8 and return home to play the Eagles next Sunday.
