Tag: Jaguars vs. Jets

Wilson bests Lawrence in 4th-ever matchup between rookie QBs drafted first & second

Zach Wilson outdueled Trevor Lawrence in the fourth-ever matchup between rookie quarterbacks picked first and second in the same draft.

Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence have endured their fair share of hardship in 2021. Neither has performed up to their own lofty standards and their teams have struggled as a result.

It was Wilson who staked his claim to 2021 NFL draft quarterback supremacy on Sunday, though, as he outdueled Lawrence and led the Jets to a 26-21 win that came down to the wire.

Wilson’s numbers weren’t overly impressive. He threw for just 102 yards and completed only 14 of his 22 pass attempts. However, he sparked the Jets with 91 rushing yards — including an athletic 52-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter — and a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown pass to offensive lineman Conor McDermott in a 4th-and-goal situation.

“Not surprised. I’m glad it showed up today,” interim head coach Ron Middleton said of Wilson’s running ability postgame. “I know that [Mike LaFleur] had challenged him on some of his efforts the last couple of games. I can’t recall the game, but he had a lot more yards to go and he just wasn’t playing free. [LaFleur] got on him pretty good and it paid off today.”

Lawrence didn’t do enough to get the Jaguars back into the win column for the first time since the first weekend of November, but he flashed the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick ahead of Wilson. He completed 26 of 39 passes for 280 yards and showcased his arm talent on multiple occasions. He didn’t get Jacksonville into the end zone with his arm, though, and fumbled twice. One was recovered by Jets DE Ronnie Blair.

Wilson now finds himself in the same boat as Rick Mirer, Peyton Manning and Marcus Mariota, the other winners of the other three matchups between quarterbacks drafted first and second who met as rookies.

One game won’t determine who the better quarterback is or will be, but Wilson has bragging rights over his classmate until the next time they meet.

“He did a great job,” Wilson said. “He’s going through the same thing I’m going through. We’re both learning and he put together a great drive [at the end of the game]. He’s improving every single week like I’m trying to, so I told him we’ll stay in touch and I hope the best for him.”

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6 takeaways from the Jets’ Week 16 win over the Jaguars

Zach Wilson edged Trevor Lawrence on a record-setting day. Takeaways from the Jets’ Week 16 win over the Jaguars.

Zach Wilson: 1
Trevor Lawrence: 0

That’s the head-to-head score between the top-two picks after the Jets snapped a three-game winning streak with a 26-21 victory over the Jaguars. Wilson got the best of his rookie counterpart. Wilson didn’t play a dominant game, but he did enough to get the Jets back in the win column for the first time since Week 12.

Here are six takeaways from Gang Green’s Week 16 triumph.

WATCH: Zach Wilson’s touchdown run sets Jets’ franchise record

Zach Wilson’s 52-yard touchdown run against the Jaguars is the longest ever by a Jets quarterback.

Zach Wilson etched his name into the Jets’ record books in the first quarter against the Jaguars, getting out of the pocket to run for an incredible 52-yard touchdown.

Wilson’s touchdown run is the longest by a quarterback in franchise history, topping Sam Darnold’s 46-yard rushing touchdown against the Broncos last season. It is also New York’s longest rushing touchdown since 2018 and the longest by an NFL quarterback since Marcus Mariota’s 87-yarder against the Jaguars in 2015.

Wilson now has four rushing touchdowns this season, with each of them coming over his last five games. Josh McCown rushed for five touchdowns in 2017, while Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith hold the team mark with six in a single season.

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Jaguars vs. Jets inactives: Quinnen Williams lands on COVID list, Jamison Crowder out with calf injury

Quinnen Williams was placed on the COVID list Sunday morning and will not play in Week 16. Jamison Crowder is out with a calf injury.

The hits keep coming for the Jets, as Quinnen Williams was placed on the COVID list on Sunday morning and will not suit up against the Jaguars.

Williams is among 13 Jets players currently on the COVID list. New York will be without numerous starters in Week 16 as a result. Freedom Akinmoladun was called up from the practice squad to replace Williams.

The Jets are also dealing with their fair share of injuries, as Jamison Crowder is out with a calf injury. Crowder did not practice all week and was listed as doubtful entering Sunday. His absence likely opens the door for Braxton Berrios to take on an even bigger role in New York’s offense.

Rounding out the inactives are Austin Walter, La’Mical Perine and Elijah Riley. Riley is out after suffering a concussion last weekend against the Dolphins. Isaiah Williams, Dan Brown, DJ Montgomery, LaRoy Reynolds, Ronnie Blair and Elijah Benton were promoted from the practice squad for Week 16.

Inactive for the Jaguars are Ryquell Armstead and Lerentee McCray. Jacksonville is also dealing with COVID losses, as linebacker Myles Jack was placed on the COVID list Sunday morning. Star pass rusher Josh Allen and starting wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. are also out with COVID.

How to watch, listen, stream Jaguars vs. Jets in Week 16

The Jets host the Jaguars at MetLife Stadium in Week 16. Here is everything you need to watch and listen to the game.

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The Jets are hours away from returning to action after a narrow loss to the Dolphins in Week 15.

New York has a legitimate chance to snap its three-game winning streak with the 2-12 Jaguars coming to MetLife Stadium. Both teams are dealing with major COVID losses, but there is still plenty of intrigue surrounding the matchup with Zach Wilson set to take on Trevor Lawrence for the first time.

Here is how you can watch the Jets clash with the Dolphins.

Game Information

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

Sunday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m. ET

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

Streaming

FuboTV (try it free)

Television channels

WCBS

Radio

New York Metro Area: WEPN-FM, ESPN New York 98.7.

Jets Radio Network

Ocean, NJ: WCHR – 105.7 FM

Rochester, NY: WHTK – 107.3 FM/1280 AM

Albany, NY: WTMM – 104.5 FM

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Jets favored for first time in 2021 vs. Jaguars in Week 16

The Jets are slight favorites to defeat the Jaguars when they come to MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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The Jets have been underdogs throughout the 2021 season and rightfully so. New York is dead last in the AFC East and has one of the younger rosters in the NFL. Progress, not wins, was always going to be the way the first season of the Robert Saleh era is evaluated.

The odds are finally in Gang Green’s favor entering Week 16. Tipico Sportsbook lists the Jets as 1.5-point favorites over the 2-12 Jaguars, who have not won a game since the first weekend of November. Both teams are dealing with COVID issues and injuries ahead of Sunday, but oddsmakers are giving New York a slight upper hand.

The Jets are -115 (bet $115 to win $100) to cover their end of the spread, while the Jaguars are -105 (bet $105 to win $100). The over/under is 41.5. New York’s money line is -125 (bet $125 to win $100). Jacksonville’s is +102 (bet $100 to win $102).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Jaguars vs. Jets: Lawrence vs. Wilson, Saleh’s status 6 among Week 16 storylines

COVID is wreaking havoc on the Jets & Jaguars ahead of Zach Wilson’s 1st battle with Trevor Lawrence. Here are 6 storylines to know in Week 16:

Nothing is normal in the NFL right now with COVID-19 once again wreaking havoc across the league, but the Jets still have a game to play in Week 16.

Gang Green will welcome the 2-12 Jaguars to MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Jets are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, while Jacksonville has dropped six in a row. Its last win came over the Bills in early November.

Here are six storylines to know before the Jaguars come to East Rutherford.

Zach Wilson looking forward to first matchup with Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Jets QB Zach Wilson is excited about his first matchup with Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence will forever be linked as the first two picks — and quarterbacks — taken in the 2022 NFL draft.

Lawrence was thought to be as close to a sure-fire star as any draft prospect can get after a dominant career at Clemson that included a national championship. Wilson possessed all of the raw traits to be successful at the next level, but still had plenty of developing to do. Both have struggled in their rookie seasons, though, combining to throw more interceptions than touchdown passes.

Lawrence and Wilson will duel for the first time when the Jaguars come to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The two got to know each other a bit during the pre-draft process, but never squared off in college — making Week 16 the first of what Wilson hopes will be many matchups between the two.

“He’s a great dude. We only got some time to spend together, but just a cool dude to be around,” Wilson said Thursday. “It’s going to be a fun matchup just because we’re going to be playing in the league from the start of the same time for hopefully a long time, so it’s going to be cool just to follow his career and to be able to match up against those guys. I just hope he does well and I always hope the best for him.”

Lawrence has completed just 58.1 percent of his passes for 2,945 yards, nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 games with the 2-12 Jaguars. Just one of those touchdown passes has come in Jacksonville’s last seven games. Wilson’s numbers aren’t any better, as he has completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 1,911 yards, six touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 games.

Ironically, Wilson holds the common opponent advantage over Lawrence. Wilson beat a Titans team that Lawrence has lost to twice. He also beat a Texans team that just completed a season sweep of the Jaguars.

Statistics aside, Sunday could mark the beginning of a rivalry between quarterbacks selected first and second in the draft. Lawrence and Wilson have struggled in 2021, but both have the tools to develop into quality starters for a long time.

“It’s not like me against him,” Wilson said. “Yes, do I want our team to beat the Jaguars? Yeah, I do. I hope to go out there and play well. But I don’t look at it as me vs. Trevor or my stats vs. Trevor. … It’s not like we’re fighting for a starting position on the same team. We can cheer each other on which is really cool.”

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