The Jets have had a surprisingly strong start to the 2022 season, but it hasn’t been due to Zach Wilson’s passing. If anything, the second-year quarterback’s limitations have held back New York’s potential in the AFC playoff race. We saw this once more against the Patriots (-3) on Sunday.
As the New England defense tightened its vise grip around the Jets’ offense, Wilson began to press, and press, and press some more. It led to some of the more mind-boggling interceptions you might see all season from any quarterback.
First, with the Jets nursing an early 10-3 lead, Wilson threw a ball off his backfoot … right to Ja’Whuan Bentley:
Second career pick for @NVBentley33!
📺: #NEvsNYJ on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/a0w93yWa9w
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 30, 2022
Then, late in the third quarter, with the Jets chasing a 19-10 lead, Wilson just tried to throw the ball away. Uh, the ball stayed completely in-bounds and was intercepted by Devin McCourty:
.@man_dammn with the pressure, @McCourtyTwins with the pick!
📺: #NEvsNYJ on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/L385BnniT7
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 30, 2022
Just a few minutes later, early in the fourth quarter, once again Wilson tried to throw the ball away. And once again, the throwaway went right to McCourty. Awkward:
Once again 🗣@McCourtyTwins | #ForeverNE
📺: #NEvsNYJ on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/hjwIBQhnBA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 30, 2022
There’s throwing picks, and there’s throwing picks and making them look like art. Wilson has that skill down pat.
All told, that was three picks in five possessions for Wilson as the Patriots started to bury the Jets. And none of those picks were even competitive, in the least for the offense. Truly, a brutal afternoon for the New York passer.
NFL fans let Wilson have it for his performance art display of interceptions
My god, Zach Wilson sucks.
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) October 30, 2022
Zach Wilson looks like an All Pro until he actually throws the ball
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 30, 2022
Zach Wilson plays QB like the pocket is lava
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 30, 2022
It's officially a meltdown game for Zach Wilson.
Truly awful decision-making
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) October 30, 2022
Very impressed with Zach Wilson’s ability to escape the pass rush and find Devin McCourty.
— Dave Brown (@ThatDaveBrown) October 30, 2022
Jets have a boatload of good, young players. Zach Wilson is holding that team back now. He deserves time to turn it around. It's not great now.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 30, 2022
This is the worst game Zach Wilson has played since the first game he had against New England last year. Unacceptable.
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) October 30, 2022
Zach Wilson when he pulls up to practice tomorrow pic.twitter.com/peSb8Daly0
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) October 30, 2022
Zach Wilson did it again. Holy crap.
Why is it so hard to throw the ball away?
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 30, 2022
Zach Wilson is what he is. And he ain't it.
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) October 30, 2022
