NJ's EAST RUTHERFORD The 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium may have been the most embarrassing game for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in his NFL career. He was booed and replaced by former practise squad quarterback Chris Streveler.
Wilson remarked of the jeering supporters: "Yeah, it's [difficult]." "They are not to fault. Our loyal following is here to witness our touchdown celebrations. We're not moving the ball, we're not making first downs, we're not scoring touchdowns, and we can't pass the ball, of course. They will undoubtedly feel irritated."
Only nine of Wilson's 18 throws were completed for 92 yards and one interception, which came on a last-ditch attempt before halftime. His final QBR was 5.2. The Jets' prospects of making the playoffs were all but over after their fourth straight defeat.
Despite having only 66 total yards and a 13-3 deficit at halftime, Wilson was taken off the field by coach Robert Saleh with 3:31 left in the third quarter. It was 16-3 at that point. Streveler entered the game after being promoted from the practise squad just hours before. The offensive unit's longest drive was immediately spearheaded by him, but it ended without scoring.
Saleh claimed that he didn't actually bench Wilson. He claimed that he went to Streveler with the anticipation that his running prowess would revive their dead ground game. Although that may have been the initial impetus for the switch, Saleh decided to retain Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, on the bench and let Streveler play the rest of the game.
Mike White, a former fifth-round choice of the Dallas Cowboys who revived the offence, replaced Wilson on the bench five weeks ago. He was replaced on Thursday night by a journeyman who had three preseason comeback victories to his name.
Saleh remarked, "We were trying to vary things up to get the run game going. "I am aware of Zach's difficulties. Streveler entered the game, ran a few plays, ignited the offence, and secured the game-changing play. For Strev, things quickly got better. We therefore wanted to offer him the chance to complete the drive. By the time we received it back, we had already arrived and chose to follow Strev."
Streveler, who gained 54 yards on the ground and completed 10 of 15 passes for 90 yards in his first game of the season, gave the Jets some life.
Wilson waited on the sidelines for the call to rejoin the action, but he never received it. When Streveler entered, the soggy throng erupted in cheers; they were fans of his rough, improvised performance. He was to be used with a limited number of running plays prior to the game, but as the fourth quarter progressed, his repertoire was enlarged.
For the first time, the Jets put three quarterbacks on the field, with Wilson being supported by Streveler and Joe Flacco. Flacco didn't observe any activity.
Wilson claimed he did not object to the third-quarter adjustment.
He described the offence as "we had nothing there." "In that situation, you cannot hold [Saleh] accountable. He sent Chris out there, and since he obviously had tremendous use of his legs and arm, he was able to ignite a little bit of a spark. You can't blame him since it was obvious that was the most we had moved the ball all day."
Wilson was taken out of the game for the first time because of something other than an injury. He received his first ever benching on November 23 following a 77-yard throwing performance against the New England Patriots.
He admitted that his confidence was affected and that he wasn't good enough for his teammates, appearing speechless.
Man, I have no idea, he said. "I just felt like I was out there without any rhythm. Just trying to create a little spark to get us moving on the field, [I was] just trying to find some confidence. Man, I couldn't do anything there.
Wilson continued, "Yeah, it's challenging, but I'm working my way through it. But I have to stay upbeat in this situation. I have confidence in myself, regardless of what others think.
You'd be remiss if you didn't try to admit that there is a confidence issue there, according to Saleh, because when individuals are confident they can take on the world. We must assist him, and coaching is the first step.
Saleh refuses to comment on who he will start in Week 17. They'll probably return to White (fractured ribs), but he hasn't been given the all-clear for contact yet. The Jets will need to make a difficult choice if he is not approved.
Saleh remarked of Wilson, "We haven't seen the last of him.
In Philadelphia With Jalen Hurts out against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday due to a sprained right shoulder, Gardner Minshew will receive the start in a contest that might decide the NFC East title and the top overall seed in the NFC.
On Thursday, coach Nick Sirianni remarked, "Jalen did everything he could to get his body ready to go." "And in the end, he won't be able to accomplish it. He gave it everything. I am aware that he still desires to leave. The toughest player I've ever played with is Jalen Hurts."
Hurts skipped both the Wednesday practise and the walkthrough on Tuesday. He suffered a throwing shoulder injury during Sunday's victory over the Chicago Bears after defensive lineman Trevis Gipson pushed him to the ground after a third-quarter 3-yard run.
On Thursday, coach Nick Sirianni remarked, "Jalen did everything he could to get his body ready to go." "And in the end, he won't be able to accomplish it. He gave it everything. I am aware that he still desires to leave. The toughest player I've ever played with is Jalen Hurts."
After the hit, Hurts rested on the ground for a short while before getting up to complete the game. In the 25-20 triumph, he ran for 61 yards and three scores while throwing for 315 yards and two interceptions.
This week, he has been getting treatment for his shoulder. Hurts' teammates reported he was trying to play on Saturday, but Sirianni stated on Thursday that "his body is simply not there yet."
Sirianni responded that they would take it day by day when asked about Hurts' availability for the next week's game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Eagles would secure the division and the top seed in the NFC with a victory over Dallas on Saturday, allowing the coaching staff flexibility in how much to play the starters, including Hurts, in the final two regular-season games.
Hurts' injury is not viewed as being serious by the Eagles. He is anticipated to be prepared for the postseason.
At practise on Wednesday, Minshew was in charge of the first-team offence and performed well, according to several players. Dallas Goedert, a tight end, claimed he couldn't recall a single pass ever touching the ground.
Gardner will be our man, and he will be prepared, added Sirianni. "For this chance to play against a tremendously excellent football club, Gardner worked his tail off. Wednesday's practise went quite well for him."
For Minshew, who was in Mississippi on Tuesday to deliver a speech at the funeral for his late coach, Mike Leach, it has been a hectic and emotional week.
Minshew was unable to attend the walkthrough on Tuesday, but the coaches kept him informed by calling him on FaceTime and Zoom and emailing him videos from the team's installation time.
When serving as the Eagles' backup quarterback last December against the Jets, Minshew went 20 of 25 and threw two touchdown passes for an injured Hurts.
A breakout season for the 24-year-old Hurts, who accounted for 35 touchdowns overall (22 passing, 13 rushing) to tie Randall Cunningham's team record while passing for 3,472 yards and rushing for 747 yards in 14 games. He is completing 67.3% of his passes and has only had five interceptions.
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