PITTSBURGH — Quarterback Zach Wilson’s season debut included a historic landing catch, a two-quarter stoop that almost doomed the New York Jets and the largest fourth-quarter comeback of his younger profession.
“That was an ugly win, but that was some of the most fun I’ve had playing football,” Wilson stated Sunday after a 24-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
It was a wild sport.
The Jets led by 10 factors in the primary quarter and trailed by 10 in the fourth, however Wilson rallied them with 81- and 65-yard landing drives on their remaining two possessions to pull out their second come-from-behind win on the highway. Wilson returned to the huddle after a preseason knee harm that required arthroscopic surgical procedure on Aug. 16. With solely three days of full observe, he was predictably rusty (18-for-36, 252 yards, two interceptions), however he made a number of clutch throws in the fourth quarter. Sunday’s sport was the primary time since 1988 that the Jets led by 10 factors, trailed by 10 and gained the sport, in accordance to Elias Sports Bureau analysis.
Wilson was practically flawless in the fourth, finishing 10 of 12 passes for 128 yards and a landing — a 5-yard slant to large receiver Corey Davis with 7:31 remaining.
“The young man doesn’t flinch,” coach Robert Saleh stated.
Wilson, drafted second total in 2021, demonstrated toughness and resilience in the ultimate minutes. He accomplished his final seven passes, together with 5-for-5 for 57 yards on the ultimate drive. The Jets took over on Michael Carter II’s interception with 3:34 to play and marched to Breece Hall’s 2-yard landing run with 16 seconds left.
Wilson stated he did not take into consideration his surgically repaired knee through the sport. He was underneath heavy duress by a makeshift line. He was sacked solely as soon as, however he was hit six occasions and pressured 14 occasions, in accordance to NFL Next Gen Stats.
“I thought this was probably the most comfortable I’ve ever felt from a pregame standpoint coming into a game,” stated Wilson, who went 3-10 as a starter throughout a tough rookie yr.
Wilson proved he may catch a go. In the second quarter, he scored on the Jets’ model of the “Philly Special,” a razzle-dazzle play in which he handed it to large receiver Garrett Wilson, who pitched it to receiver Braxton Berrios, who threw a 2-yard go to a large open Wilson.
He turned the primary quarterback in Jets historical past to rating a landing reception and the primary to catch a go since Geno Smith in 2013. Wilson celebrated with a “Griddy” dance in the top zone.
“Pretty cool,” he stated of his landing, joking, “I’ve got the best hands on the team.”
The Jets appeared in management with a 10-0 lead, however Wilson threw two interceptions (one off the fingers of tight finish Tyler Conklin) because the Jets squandered alternatives to put the sport away. Wilsons stated “there was frustration, but it was the right frustration.” The protection made 4 interceptions, together with two by security Lamarcus Joyner, to preserve the Jets in the sport. That gave Wilson two massive possessions on the finish.
“He never shut down. He never turns it off. You can tell he just believes in himself. He might not have played a perfect game, but it was his first game back and everything,” Hall stated of Wilson.
Wilson, displaying no in poor health results from his knee surgical procedure, escaped a handful of sacks together with his mobility. He stated he was “in a good spot” together with his knee, crediting the coaching employees for getting him prepared. He was on the run as a result of his offensive line suffered one other key harm, as rookie proper deal with Max Mitchell (knee) was carted off in the second quarter — the fourth Jets deal with to get injured since coaching camp.
The day started with a shock transfer, proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker beginning at left deal with. By halftime, solely two of the 5 Week 1 starters have been in their authentic positions — middle Connor McGovern and left guard Laken Tomlinson. Led by Wilson, the Jets (2-2) overcame loads of adversity.
“I thought he played a good game for his first game back,” Saleh stated.
The Steelers (1-3) discovered it arduous to swallow. Said security Minkah Fitzpatrick, “It’s very frustrating. It’s frustrating losing to people that you know that you’re better than, more talented than.”
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