17 games into career, Wilson getting comfortable
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Last Sunday’s 16-9 victory over the Broncos was Jets quarterback Zach Wilson’s 17th career game in the league.
That is significant because now he’s played the equivalent of an entire season of games in the NFL.
Where would Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur assess Wilson at this point?
“He’s just getting more and more comfortable,” LaFleur said. “It’s again not to over-talk about, but that was a tough defense that we just went against, I believe that was their fourth home game and their points that they’ve given up were nine, 10, and 12 going into that and we got 16.
“It’s not near good enough and we as an offense, we know we left a lot, we felt like we left a lot out there, but ultimately in two-minute situation and then some other situations where we didn’t turn the ball over, that was playing team ball and that’s something that he’s just learned. He knows when to take his chances, when not to take his chances within a game, he’s getting more comfortable playing the game within the game.
“So I would anticipate that it’s just going to continue to grow and again, if you go back to four weeks ago versus Pittsburgh where we were down by 10 in the fourth quarter, him and the rest of the guys did what they had to do to find a way to get a W. So like I keep preaching to the guys we can play any game, we can play any game necessary, we’ve proven that over four games, we want to get more consistent, but they can play any game.”
Wilson has had an up-and-down career during his first 17 games. He has thrown for 3,027 yards, 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has also dealt with a few injuries during his two seasons in the league. That includes the meniscus tear and bone bruise during the preseason that kept him on the shelf for seven weeks and caused him to miss the first three games of his sophomore campaign.
Since returning from injury, Wilson has passed for 693 yards in four games, but only one touchdown (vs. two INTs). The Jets have won all four of Wilson’s starts, but the passing game has yet to be in sync the way many had expected.
Wilson will face a tall challenge this weekend as the Patriots come to MetLife Stadium.