Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have endured a torrid 2024 season. But they showed signs of life on Thursday Night Football against the depleted Houston Texans. They edged out CJ Stroud with pressure up front and tight coverage, resulting in a 21-13 victory. Jets fans at MetLife stadium were finally rewarded with a win. The Jets now improve to 3-6 on the season, also ending a five-game losing streak.
It was a scrappy opening to the game, with both sides exchanging fumbles in the first quarter and a half. The Texans opened the scoring with an eight-minute plus touchdown drive, resulting in a Joe Mixon rushing TD before Fairbairn missed a long field goal attempt to put them up by double digits. New York thought they had scored when Malachi Corley ran untouched into the end zone. But replays showed he let go of the ball before breaking the plane, so a touchback was ruled. It was emblematic of the New York Jets seasons to date. It would have been Corley’s first NFL touchdown, except he dropped the ball in order to celebrate, but it turned out his celebration was premature. Thus, the Jets failed to score in the first half, so Houston was ahead 7-0 when the teams returned to the locker room.
After an uneventful first half, the game came alive in the second half with Rodgers dealing to Garrett Wilson and recent acquisition Davante Adams. Aaron Rodgers led a touchdown drive to open the third quarter, with Garrett Wilson finishing the drive with a 21-yard catch and run.
The Texans answered with a 54-yard field goal to retake the lead. But the Jets’ offence had finally awoken. Rodgers and his receivers seemed to be on the same page, and he was getting more protection in the pocket. Trailing in the fourth quarter, New York went on a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Garrett Wilson caught the touchdown pass on a 3rd and 19, with undisputably the catch of the season so far. He made a one-handed grab at the back of the endzone after Rodgers floated it deep left to him. It was initially ruled incomplete, but further replays showed that Wilson’s shin came down in bounds, meaning the call was overturned. It was an incredible play by Wilson, who showed glimpses of his athleticism and talent in 2024 but did not quite hit his potential. This was emblematic of his playmaking ability when the man under centre gave him the opportunity. Rodgers put slightly too much on the pass, but Wilson still plucked it out of the air.
This seemed to ignite the Jets’ defence and the offence, and New York came alive. They sensed a weakness in the Texna passing game, with Nico Collins still injured and Stefon Diggs out for the year. Tank Dell was WR1 for CJ Stroud and had a few key catches throughout. But it was not enough for the Texans to get back in front. Down 14-10, Houston had to settle for a chip shot field goal from just 27 yards out. It’s usually routine for an NFL kicker, but Fairbairn hit the left upright, and it was no good. The drive was not without drama after defensive end Michale Clemons sacked Stourd for -15 yards on third down.
However, on the field goal attempt, the Jets’ special teams committed a killer penalty after making contact with the snapper. The foul resulted in an automatic first down for the Texans and kept the drive going. However, they could not capitalise and ended up with zero points, even after making the field goal, which was cancelled out due to the Jets’ infringement.
With the chance to put the game to bed, Aaron Rodgers looked like his vintage self, and led the offence to an 80-yard drive resulting in another touchdown, this time to old friend Davante Adams on a 37-yard catch and run into the end zone. The contest was all but over. The Texans had time for a hurry-up field goal drive to make it a one-possession game but the onside kick was recovered by Adams to end the game.
It was a much-needed win for New York, their second at home this season and third overall. It is also their first win since firing former head coach Robert Salah in early October following their hugely disappointing start. Could this win kickstart a comeback campaign? The Bills are ahead in the AFC East, but a run of form could put the Jets back into the playoff picture. They have the talent on both sides of the ball. It is just a case of utilising it correctly and coaching a solid game without any killer mistakes.
The Jets now get an extended rest after a Thursday night game and don’t play again until they travel to Arizona next Sunday in a matchup with the frisky Cardinals in the afternoon slate.
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