Lost in the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce hoopla Sunday night was Zach Wilson’s performance. Most have (understandably) written Wilson’s future off as a franchise quarterback in just his third season. Yet, there he was, dropping dimes against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, even earning the respect of Chris Jones.
What was most wild was that Wilson literally outplayed Patrick Mahomes. I do not mean he made one or two better throws. No, no. Wilson had more completions, more yards, more touchdown passes, and fewer interceptions. By every relevant statistical account, he was the better quarterback, having outplayed the best player in the sport under a national television spotlight.
And this is the first time that’s ever happened to Mahomes in 127 college and professional starts:
Zach Wilson of the @nyjets is the only opposing QB to have more completions, more passing yards, more TD passes and fewer interceptions than Patrick Mahomes in a Mahomes start, college or pro (out of 127 total starts, including postseason).
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 2, 2023
Wilson was so good that he almost led the New York Jets to a monumental upset. Ah, but that’s the rub. He almost led them to an upset.
Perhaps that’s the delicious (and unfortunate) irony here. Even when you outplay Mahomes, he and his team still find a way to win the game. You might have the better numbers he usually produces, but he’ll still attain the most important statistic when the clock reads zeroes: an addition to the win column.
This is how Twitter reacted
This is genuinely one of the most unbelievable sports facts I’ve ever seen https://t.co/vxuxf3TVLh
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) October 2, 2023
Why stats are literally for losers. https://t.co/njYn9IjU49
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) October 2, 2023
Zach Wilson officially the only QB to ever outplay Mahomes https://t.co/i7cVCzHlMY
— Dylan (@nyjetsfansonly) October 2, 2023
Alright, that is absolutely insane lol https://t.co/k2f0ryx1rH
— Sam Hays (@WichitaChiefSam) October 2, 2023
this is like that stretch in the 80s where the only QB to beat Joe Montana more than once was Mark Malone. https://t.co/ZURIRM8ruP
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) October 2, 2023
Zach outplayed Mahomes tonight. Case closed. https://t.co/TJlLDwSn3N
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 2, 2023
Gotta give props to Zach Wilson for playing well under the spotlight and the Jets coaches for having him prepared https://t.co/4xyp99bCDC
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 2, 2023
This stat is WILD 😂😂😂 https://t.co/0sXspegHbd
— 𝙅𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼🛫 (@NYJets_Media) October 2, 2023
Tried to tell everyone he was a franchise QB. Glad people are starting to wake up. https://t.co/Ix2H4V6Lhf
— Casey (@BaseyCrock) October 2, 2023
