The New York Jets are looking to end a five-game skid in Week 14 against a Houston Texans team that owns a 7-5 record. The big news for the Jets is they are making another change at the quarterback position, going back to Zach Wilson.
After releasing Tim Boyle and bringing in Brett Rypien, the Jets intend to start Wilson for the rest of the season. The idea of Aaron Rodgers returning this season is no longer a thing, so everyone is playing for their job down the stretch.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Texans, here are six players to watch on the Jets.
QB Zach Wilson
The final five weeks of the season are potentially Wilson’s last chance to show he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Before being benched in Week 11 versus the Buffalo Bills, Wilson was completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 10 appearances (nine starts). Even if it doesn’t result in a win, the Jets would love to see a positive outing from Wilson against the Texans.
WR Xavier Gipson
The Jets have yet to find a wide receiver who can be a consistent contributor alongside Garrett Wilson this season. The signing of Allen Lazard hasn’t looked great and Randall Cobb has been a non-factor. With the offense lacking firepower, we saw Xavier Gipson record career-high marks in receptions (5) and receiving yards (77) in Week 13 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Gipson generated a couple of explosive plays in the passing game, and the hope is that can stick with Wilson at quarterback.
OT Carter Warren
The Jets have trotted out plenty of different combinations along the offensive line due to injuries, and it was a different unit again in Week 13. Rookie Carter Warren started at right tackle with Mekhi Becton starting at left tackle just a week after Warren made the start at left tackle. Warren is primed to face standout rookie edge rusher Will Anderson. Anderson has five sacks (had a season-high two sacks in Week 13) and he leads the Texans with 47 total pressures.
DE Jermaine Johnson
Jermaine Johnson has been a bright spot for the Jets this season as he’s flashed plenty of positive moments as a pass rusher following a quiet rookie campaign. The former first-round pick tallied 1.5 sacks and six total pressures against the Falcons in Week 13, bringing his totals to 6.5 sacks and 41 pressures this season. If the Jets want to have any chance of winning on Sunday, they’ll need Johnson and the defense to generate consistent pressure on C.J. Stroud.
DT Quinnen Williams
Much has been made about Quinnen Williams not having his usual sack numbers, but he’s still been dominant in the interior. Despite having a career-low two sacks entering Week 14, he is still tied for the second-most total pressures (42) on the Jets this season. The All-Pro interior defender is also second in quarterback hurries (28), only behind Bryce Huff. Even if he doesn’t notch any sacks on Stroud, Williams can make a massive difference by continuing to wreak havoc in the interior.
CB D.J. Reed
The Texans sadly lost rookie Tank Dell to a leg injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season in Week 13. While Nico Collins already had a large role in Houston’s offense, he could see more usage down the stretch. Sauce Gardner doesn’t shadow No. 1 receivers, and the Texans are smart enough to realize that getting Collins matched up against a smaller D.J. Reed is the better option. Reed allowed just one reception for eight yards in coverage against the Falcons, but he’ll be tested often versus a Texans offense that loves to push the ball down the field.
