All it takes is one play to change a game’s outcome. That moment came with 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on a third-and-19 play.
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s one-handed touchdown grab from Aaron Rodgers might have been the NFL’s catch of the year. It’s without question the front-runner so far and will remain it entering Sunday, but it was the deciding factor and difference-maker in the 21-13 win over the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium.
Wilson, who’s currently on pace for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season with the AFC East franchise, also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, giving life to a New York team that looked D.O.A. entering November behind a has-been four-time MVP candidate.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud could not duplicate his Week 8 magic with both top targets sidelined. Nico Collins will be back next week for Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions after being cleared off injured reserve, but Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL last weekend against the Colts.
While Stroud had done enough to give Houston a comfortable 6-2 lead to close out October, it wasn’t enough against a Jets’ front seven out to make a statement. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year was sacked a career-high eight times and found little success on throws to anyone but Tank Dell.
Dell, who served as Houston’s No. 2 target during his rookie season, must regain the title with Diggs sidelined for the year. Thursday was a promising start since he finished with a season-high 126 yards off six catches.
Joe Mixon, the backbone of Houston’s offense when healthy, continued his All-Pro season with another 100-yard outing on the ground.
His highlight moment came in the second quarter, when he totaled 47 yards on seven carries and capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown run to give Houston a 7-0 lead.
Stroud finished 11-of-30 for 191 yards and posted a 59.1 passer rating. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on five catches. Six other receivers were targeted but did not record a catch.
Injuries hurt Houston as well. Offensive lineman Kenyon Green suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and was limited for the remainder of the first half before not returning following halftime.
Houston’s defense held Rodgers to 32 yards in the first half and recorded three sacks, two of which came by Denico Autry. In the second, New York totaled 220 yards of offense and scored on every drive.
Down four, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a 43-yard field goal, but a penalty by New York gave Houston a fresh set of downs. Three plays later, Fairbairn trotted for a 27-yard attempt, only to bounce it off the left upright.
Rodgers connected with former Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams on the ensuing drive to give the Jets an 11-point lead with 2:58 remaining.
The Texans will have 10 days to regroup before a Sunday Night Football showdown against the NFC North favorites at NRG Stadium.
General manager Nick Caserio could be busy making calls to upgrade the offense at offensive line and receiver before the 3 p.m. NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5.