Zach Wilson is starting to gain confidence again. He’s connected on some big throws in the first half and has kept the Jets in this one as the Jets are tied with the Lions at halftime 10-10.
Wilson is 8/14 for 185 yards and a touchdown to C.J. Uzomah. His quarterback rating is 125.6. He’s also doing a nice job of spreading the ball around as five difference receivers have at least one catch thus far.
Leading the way is…Jeff Smith?? That’s right, a couple of big chunk-yardage plays at the end of the first half to Smith have given him 73 yards on three catches as Smith is taking full advantage of his playing time in place of the injured Denzel Mims, who is out with a concussion.
One spot where the Jets can really use some improvement in the second half is on the ground. New York is getting no push up front and it has resulted in just 21 rushing yards compared to 71 for the Lions.
They also need some pass rush. It has been near-nonexistent without Quinnen Williams. Fortunately for the Jets, they haven’t been allowing big plays yet to the Lions. Jared Goff is 12/20 for 119 yards.
The Jets have stepped up on defense in the red zone, including a huge fourth-down stop early in the game…only to give up a 47-yard punt return to Kalif Raymond shortly thereafter.
Overall, you have to feel pretty good about Wilson’s performance thus far and how Mike LaFleur is letting Wilson sling it a little more, getting him outside the pocket and even getting some zone read in the mix.
The Jets get the ball first in the second half.