The New York Jets are 2-8, the same as the Houston Texans, but their route to that record has included playing four different quarterbacks.
The Jets are turning to rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, who has a 1-5 ledger as the starter. New York started Mike White (1-2), Joe Flacco (0-1), and also had Josh Johnson fill in for an injured White in Week 9.
With the Jets showing four different quarterbacks on film, the key for the Texans is to focus on themselves, according to defensive coordinator Lovie Smith.
“It’s more about us, and I know that’s kind of coach talk a little bit,” said Smith. “We’re going to defend the quarterback position. They’ve played so many guys, it’s not like they’re going to a different game plan every time they put in a different quarterback. Flacco was a little bit different, but most of the other guys that they have there have a similar skillset.”
The quarterback who has played the most in the Jets’ offense is Wilson with six games. The body of work and film is what Houston has prepared for.
“I know he’s an athletic guy that can make any throw,” said Smith. “When you’re playing a guy like that, there are certain things that you have to do. We set our defense up for athletic quarterbacks, so hopefully, we’ll be able to shut down them down.”
Smith noted that “there’s a reason why he was the second player in the draft,” referring to the Jets drafting the 6-2, 214-pound quarterback with the No. 2 pick.
“You see that when you watch him play,” said Smith.
On the season, Wilson has provided the Jets with 1,168 passing yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 63.5 passer rating. Wilson has also taken 19 sacks on the season. The former BYU product missed Weeks 7-10 with a knee injury.
