New York (3-6) continued their 2024 NFL schedule with a 21-13 win over the Houston Texans in Week 9.
Following the win, as is always the case, we were taught a few things about this football team. There were things to take away from all three phases of the game.
With that, here are five things we learned from the Jets’ win over the Texans:
New York Sack Exchange 2.0?
The Jets pass rush had their way with the Texans offensive line as they sacked CJ Stroud 8 times in Thursday’s win. Jamien Sherwood, quietly having a very good season, and Michael Clemons each had 2 sacks. Quinnen Williams finished with 1.5 sacks for the second week in a row and Hassan Reddick had a half sack and 8 QB Pressures in his MetLife Stadium debut. Williams has thrived since Reddick ended his holdout with 3 sacks and 3 TFL in his last two games. Stroud finished 11 for 30, 191 yards, no touchdowns and a 59.2 rating.
The Pass Rush Was Great, The Run Defense Was Not
While The Jets kept CJ Stroud in check through the air and sacked him 8 times, they continue to struggle against the run. Texans running back Joe Mixon finished with 106 yards and scored Houston’s only touchdown. Stroud ran for 59 yards on 8 carries and the Texans as a team finished with 187 total rushing yards. New York’s defense is giving up an average of 132.6 yards on the ground. The trade deadline is Tuesday and New York may want to consider adding a run stuffer on the defensive line with Kyler Murray and James Conner next on the schedule in Arizona.
It’s Time To Talk Contract Extension With Garrett Wilson
Wilson has been on fire in October and finished the month with arguably the touchdown catch of the season, a one handed grab that was initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review. GW had 9 receptions for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns in Thursday’s win. Wilson finished October with 40 receptions, 472 yards, 4 touchdowns in five games and had three games of over 100 yards receiving. Whether it’s Joe Douglas or a different General Manager making the decisions next season, getting Garrett Wilson signed to an extension should be at the top of their list.
A Tale of Two Halves for Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers got off to a brutal start in the first half as he finished 7 for 14 for 52 yards. He was vintage Rodgers in the second half, going 15 for 18, 159 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Davante Adams had his best game of the season since Week 2 with the Raiders, catching 7 balls for 91 yards and his first touchdown as a Jet. This is the Aaron Rodgers the Jets will need the rest of the way if they have any shot at the postseason.
Talk Is Cheap. It’s Time To Start Holding Players Accountable For Mistakes.
The Jets played a solid game on Thursday and Jeff Ulbrich got his first win since taking over for Robert Saleh after the team’s loss to Minnesota in London. But, old habits still remain and continue to hurt the team at the worst possible times. Malachi Corley’s number hasn’t been called much this season and when he had an opportunity to tie the game with his first touchdown in New York, he inexplicably dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback. Eric Watts was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty on a Texans field goal try that resulted in a first down for Houston and the Jets had 9 penalties for 83 yards, continuing their undisciplined play. The Jets have zero margin for error the rest of the season and these self-inflicted wounds cannot continue to happen. Jeff Ulbrich must start holding players accountable, which is often talked about but rarely practiced in Florham Park.
