Both quarterback and tight end were trouble spots for the Jets’ offense in 2020 (and really, what wasn’t?), but Gang Green faithful can rejoice – Zach Wilson has his first two pro TD passes under his belt, and both were to the same tight end.
Wilson, who was 6-for-9 for 63 yards in his pro debut last week against the Giants, was 9-for-11 for 128 yards and a pair of scores against Green Bay, leading the Jets on three scoring drives total.
The Jets’ opening drive was an eight-play, 49-yard drive that ended in a field goal, and included Wilson hitting Corey Davis for a 24-yard pass on a 3rd-and-8.
After a punt on the second drive, Wilson’s third drive went 70 yards in six plays, the biggest a 27-yard pass to Davis that put Gang Green at the Green Bay 16. One play and one penalty later, Wilson hit tight end Tyler Kroft down the middle on second-and-12 from the 18, and Kroft broke a tackle to cross the goal line and hit paydirt to give the No. 2 overall pick his first pro TD pass.
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Green Bay answered with a touchdown to make it 14-10 Packers, but Wilson’s fourth drive was the same as the third: a TD pass to Kroft. This one was set up by a 73-yard kickoff return by Corey Ballentine, who set the Jets up at the Packers’ 30 with just over three minutes remaining. Two run plays brought the Two Minute Warning, and with the Jets first-and-10 at the 18, Wilson hit Kroft in the flat, and once again the tight end broke a tackle at the goal line to score.
Those were Kroft’s only two catches of the half, but he has built a nice connection with the rookie QB. Mike White replaced Wilson for the final drive of the first half, which ended at the whistle for halftime.
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