Jones, Wilson growing up fast
But rookie QBs are doing so while dealing with bumps in the road
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mac Jones and Zach Wilson have learned quickly this season just how difficult it is to win as a rookie quarterback in the NFL.
With Jones under center, the Patriots have yet to post a victory at home, losing three of their four games at Gillette Stadium by one score.
Wilson has shown blips of why the Jets selected him second overall in the draft. What has stood out more are nightmarish outings like his four-interception performance in New York’s 25-6 Week 2 loss against New England.
Sunday’s rematch presents an opportunity for both as they try to change the trajectory of their teams’ seasons.
“The record is the record,” Jones said. “All I can control is what I do every day.
“There’s a lot of good quarterbacks in this league. I can play much better than I’m playing. It just comes with reps and experience. I’m not here to compare with anybody. I just have to try to be the best player and teammate I can be.”
While the wins haven’t materialized like he wants, statistically Jones has been the most consistent rookie quarterback in the league. He leads all rookie QBs in passing yards (1,472), completion percentage (71.1) and rating (89.6).
Wilson and the Jets will be trying snap the Patriots’ 11-game winning streak in the series. The Jets haven’t beaten New England
since Week 16 of the 2015 season, a 26-20 win in overtime at home. New York’s last regular-season win in New England was 34-31 in overtime in 2008.
Wilson will also be trying to end a troubling trend to start his NFL career: He has thrown at least one interception in every game.
Still, Wilson says he’s doing a good job insulating himself from outside criticism so far. Like Jones, he’s trying to focus all his energy on making incremental improvement.
“I believe I keep perspective in that I understand that every single week is just a steppingstone for what we’re trying to get,” he said. “I just need to keep learning and take some of the plays that I’m not happy with or situations in games with the right mindset.”
Jets looking for a fast start:
The Jets spent their bye week break trying to solve their slow starts.
New York has been outscored 30-0 and gained just 79 total yards in the first quarter through five games.
The Jets have scored 13 points — while opponents have scored 75 — and been outgained in total yardage 1,031-420 in the first half.
“We shoot ourselves in the foot, and we don’t really give ourselves a fighting chance,” wide receiver Corey Davis said. “So we start with that. We’ve got a better chance, for sure.”
Coach Robert Saleh said the coaching staff made subtle changes to the work schedule to try to switch things. Davis said the Jets can’t overthink their sluggish starts.
“We understand that we’ve been starting slow,” he said. “But you know, we’ve got to take this thing one day at a time and one play at a time.”
Jets secondary seeking first interception:
The Jets are the only NFL team to not pick off the opposing quarterback at least once.
“It’s something I’ve never really seen,” defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins said.
Dating to last season, the Jets have gone a franchise-record seven games without making an interception.
“It’s not for lack of trying or lack of effort there,” Rankins said. “I just think it’s kind of the way that the balls roll.”