The New York Jets have finally won their first game of the year behind their rookie QB Zach Wilson in a 27-24 overtime victory over the Titans.
Wilson was 21 of 34 for 297 yards and 2 TDs and really came through down the stretch to help the Jets secure the OT victory.
Now, Wilson has been nominated for Pepsi’s Rookie of the Week Award along with fellow rookie quarterback Mac Jones of the Patriots, and Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
The Jets were happy with Wilson's production and decision-making against the Titans. After the big win, head coach Robert Saleh praised Wilson for his performance and accuracy.
"What gets lost in the excitement of the explosive plays that he generated was I think it was 14 of his 18 completions were [thrown] for 7 yards or less," Saleh said. "He didn't get hit, there were balls getting in and out of his hands. He had, I don't have a QB rating in front of me or anything, but I know he was very efficient, and he can play that style of ball. And there was even more to be had in those situations, as we're all aware that third down to close out the game, the shallow cross to [Ryan Griffin] to close out the game, there are opportunities for even more, which he'll get better at.”
Wilson and the Jets offense didn’t get rolling until around the third quarter, when he set up kicker Matt Ammendola for a 27-yard chip shot and took the Jets to their first lead of the day, 10-9. The Titans were able to score in response but then Wilson got lucky on the next possession, first earning a 43-yard gain off a pass interference penalty on a ball intended for Corey Davis. Then a few plays later, Wilson bobbled a snap that turned into a 29-yard gain on a pass to Jamison Crowder.
Wilson then threw another touchdown to Corey Davis for the lead. After the Titans were able to tie up the game late in the fourth sending the game to overtime, Wilson had a great drive to set up Ammendola for a chip shot giving the Jets their final points of the game, after Titans kicker Randy Bullock missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt in overtime.
"I wouldn't say we've fully arrived," Wilson said. "This is just another puzzle piece of where I want to get. Now we have to stack the blocks. This was a step in the right direction."
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