With Doug Pederson facing the Philadelphia Eagles for the first times since he was their head coach, you would perhaps expect Pederson’s Jacksonville Jaguars to run a “Philly Special” touchdown pass, as Pederson’s Eagles did with great success in Super Bowl LII at the end of the 2017 season. The Eagles beat the New England Patriots, 41-33, in part because Pederson and quarterback Nick Foles decided to run what they called “Philly Philly” — a reverse to tight end Trey Burton, who threw a touchdown pass to Foles.
More #NFL Films – Superbowl 52 Edition, another angle of the "Philly Special"
Nick Foles calling his own play, the 4th down touchdown pass thrown to him.pic.twitter.com/7ho1YTq8QJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 6, 2018
Foles wanted “Philly Philly,” and he got it. But it was neither the Jaguars nor the Eagles who ran it on Sunday — it was the New York Jets, with what should now be called “Jersey Jersey,” we suppose.
THE CATCH.
THE GRIDDY.WELCOME BACK, @ZachWilson!!!#NYJvsPIT on CBS pic.twitter.com/kdpbyT6uuz
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2022
Here, it was quarterback Zach Wilson who caught the pass from receiver Braxton Berrios against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the principle was the same.
Jersey Special! pic.twitter.com/YCtPDGxsMe
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 2, 2022
Was this the Jets’ tribute to Doug Pederson’s return to Philly? Whether it was or not, it worked about as well as Pederson’s call did.
Moreover, Wilson got to make some franchise history on the play.
Zach Wilson is the first QB in Jets history with a receiving touchdown. @ZachWilson @nyjets #TakeFlight
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 2, 2022