Dropped Passes Hurt Wilson
By Shara Talia Taylor
The shortcomings of the New York Jets throughout this season resulted in their elimination from the possibility of playoffs following a 30-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints at MetLife stadium.
New York had successful moments over the past week, although their play, like the season thus far, was inconsistent Sunday afternoon. The season is not over with four games remaining, but the Jets admit there’s more work to be done with defense and scoring.
“I felt like the run game was fine,” said first year Head Coach Robert Saleh about why the Jets faced difficulty defending the Saints rush offense. “They just kept going to it. They were at 43 carries for 160 yards. If you need 43 carries, I feel like you’re doing something right defensively.”
He said he still expects the team to perform regardless of the loss.
The Jets started the game aggressive. (DL) Kyle Phillips had a quarterback sack and the defense held the Saints to only one field goal in the first quarter. However, the Jets failed to score and defense loosened their grip as the game progressed.
New York had successful moments over the past week, although their play, like the season thus far, was inconsistent Sunday afternoon. The season is not over with four games remaining, but the Jets admit there’s more work to be done with defense and scoring.
“I felt like the run game was fine,” said first year Head Coach Robert Saleh about why the Jets faced difficulty defending the Saints rush offense. “They just kept going to it. They were at 43 carries for 160 yards. If you need 43 carries, I feel like you’re doing something right defensively.”
He said he still expects the team to perform regardless of the loss.
The Jets started the game aggressive. (DL) Kyle Phillips had a quarterback sack and the defense held the Saints to only one field goal in the first quarter. However, the Jets failed to score and defense loosened their grip as the game progressed.
Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson had multiple incomplete passes, but the teams’ new kicker Eddy Piñeiro made two field goals in the second quarter. The team announced via Twitter this week that they signed Piñeiro, released kicker. Alex Kessman. They signed (K) Matt Ammendola to the practice squad. Jets trailed !0-3 at halftime after the Saints scored a touchdown.
The Jets needed more offense to compete in the third quarter. Gang Green failed to score, but the Saints only managed one field goal. One of the Jets leading defenders (defensive lineman) Quinnen Williams was injured at the start of the quarter. The Jets tweeted about his shoulder injury, but he later returned to the game. The Jets nominated Williams Dec. 7 for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service. The offensive line struggled as well, indicated as Wilson was sacked in the third quarter.
The Jets had a downward spiral in the fourth quarter. Wilson continued to overthrow receivers and lineman failed to protect him as another sack happened. The Saints scored a field goal and two touchdowns and Piñeiro had one field goal for the Jets.
“Zach (Wilson) is still growing in this league,” said deensive lineman Sheldon Rankins said. “We got to be able to get those stops and get him the ball again so he can continue to create his rhythm.”
Jets defense had 49 total tackles and 31 assists and three sacks. Saints defense had 35 tackles and 11 assists and three sacks.
Jets were without wide receivers Corey Davis and Elijah Moore on the injured/reserve list, but Wilson said he had confidence in the other receivers. Wilson completed 19 of 42 passes for 202-yards. Saints quarterback Taysom Hill completed 15 of 21 passes for 175-yards.
“He was hindered with some drops early,” Saleh said about Wilson’s play. “I don’t know if that threw him off or not. He’s played better in the past and he’ll get better from it.”
Wilson was named the NFL’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week following his performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Wilson mentioned he wanted to make throws easier for receivers following their loss. “Yeah, I worked on it a lot and that’s why I was frustrated, I think, missing some easy ones,” he said. “Probably some of the routes that we’re doing, I didn’t do a lot in college. That’s not making an excuse at all, but I’ve got to get better at being able to get those guys a nice, accurate ball over the line.”
He said It’s also something he wants to work on before the next game when they travel to Miami to play the Dolphins who are coming off a bye week.
The Jets had a downward spiral in the fourth quarter. Wilson continued to overthrow receivers and lineman failed to protect him as another sack happened. The Saints scored a field goal and two touchdowns and Piñeiro had one field goal for the Jets.
“Zach (Wilson) is still growing in this league,” said deensive lineman Sheldon Rankins said. “We got to be able to get those stops and get him the ball again so he can continue to create his rhythm.”
Jets defense had 49 total tackles and 31 assists and three sacks. Saints defense had 35 tackles and 11 assists and three sacks.
Jets were without wide receivers Corey Davis and Elijah Moore on the injured/reserve list, but Wilson said he had confidence in the other receivers. Wilson completed 19 of 42 passes for 202-yards. Saints quarterback Taysom Hill completed 15 of 21 passes for 175-yards.
“He was hindered with some drops early,” Saleh said about Wilson’s play. “I don’t know if that threw him off or not. He’s played better in the past and he’ll get better from it.”
Wilson was named the NFL’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week following his performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Wilson mentioned he wanted to make throws easier for receivers following their loss. “Yeah, I worked on it a lot and that’s why I was frustrated, I think, missing some easy ones,” he said. “Probably some of the routes that we’re doing, I didn’t do a lot in college. That’s not making an excuse at all, but I’ve got to get better at being able to get those guys a nice, accurate ball over the line.”
He said It’s also something he wants to work on before the next game when they travel to Miami to play the Dolphins who are coming off a bye week.
Sports Editor Andrew Rosario contributed to this article.
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