Garrett Wilson’s Halloween magic powers Jets previous Houston to snap five-game skid

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets got here by way of with a much-needed win in an odd Thursday night time recreation towards the AFC South-leading Houston Texans, pulling out a 21-13 victory at MetLife Stadium to snap a five-game dropping streak.

After a scoreless first half, Jets receiver Garrett Wilson gave New York a second-half jolt on Halloween night time with two one-handed landing catches, the second arguably serving because the catch of the 12 months to place the Jets forward early within the fourth quarter.

The Texans bought 106 dashing yards from working again Joe Mixon however struggled in any other case, as C.J. Stroud was sacked eight occasions and Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two discipline objectives.

Listed here are crucial issues to know from Thursday night time for each groups:

The Jets emerged from their “second of darkness” for a season-saving victory that included plenty of weirdness, simply what you’d anticipate on Halloween.

They overcame their worst play of the 12 months (Malachi Corley’s fumble for a touchback) and adopted it up with their greatest play (Wilson’s acrobatic fourth-quarter landing), sparking a gritty, if not inventive victory over the Texans.

The Jets snapped their five-game dropping streak, giving interim coach Jeff Ulbrich his first win after three losses. They have been determined. It was so bleak after Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots that Ulbrich dropped the “darkness” quote. His workforce, battling a number of in-game accidents, confirmed plenty of coronary heart in rebounding from seven- and three-point deficits, one thing that had been missing.

They confirmed resilience, too. The primary half was so ugly (69 complete yards) that disgruntled followers, some with luggage over their heads, have been chanting, “Promote the workforce!” — directed at proprietor Woody Johnson, who rocked the franchise by firing Robert Saleh after 5 video games.

If the Jets flip round their season, Wilson’s landing would be the turning level — a leaping, one-handed play in the back of the top zone that was among the best catches of the season. Wilson, rebounding from a poor recreation two weeks in the past, scored two touchdowns to prepared the ground on an evening once they have been capable of overcome plenty of errors.

Pivotal play: The franchise that gave us the “Butt Fumble” (and different assorted bloopers through the years) supplied one other second of indignity. Corley scored an obvious landing on a jet sweep from 19 yards, however he launched the ball earlier than he crossed the objective line and it rolled out of the top zone for a touchback — an inexcusable gaffe in a then-scoreless recreation within the second quarter. It was the primary carry of his profession, and it might’ve been his first landing. You possibly can guess the play can be featured in 2024 lowlight movies.

QB breakdown: Possibly Aaron Rodgers’ cayenne pepper/water concoction wanted a little bit time to kick in. After a horrible first half (he matched a profession low with 32 yards passing), Rodgers perked up and threw touchdowns within the second half, connecting with outdated pal Davante Adams for the sport clincher — Adams’ first landing as a Jet. Rodgers (22-for-32, 211 yards) seemed like a 40-year-old QB at occasions, however he made sufficient profitable performs.

Promising pattern: The entrance 4 introduced the warmth, because the Jets sacked C.J. Stroud eight occasions. Defensive finish Micheal Clemons and linebacker Jamien Sherwood led the best way with two apiece, nevertheless it was deal with Quinnen Williams (one sack, seven pressures) and Haason Reddick (six pressures) who generated essentially the most warmth.

Troubling pattern: What is going on on with Sauce Gardner? The All-Professional cornerback hasn’t been himself this season, and this was the newest illustration of a proficient participant struggling to seek out his mojo. On three consecutive performs within the second quarter, he missed a deal with, allowed a 32-yard completion and dedicated a holding penalty. It was his fifth penalty, matching his 2023 complete. He added a sixth later within the fourth quarter. Like plenty of gamers on the workforce, Gardner hasn’t performed as much as expectations. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent recreation: at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 10)

The Texans’ loss resembled their earlier two defeats, as they have been affected by offensive points. Of their losses, they’re averaging 14 factors, and it is centered round Stroud being below fixed stress.

Stroud was sacked eight occasions, a profession excessive, overshadowing a Houston dashing assault that totaled 187 yards. The Texans’ offensive struggles saved the Jets — who did not rating a landing till the early third quarter — alive. However Rodgers ultimately threw three landing passes within the second half whereas the Texans’ offense was held to a measly six factors.

The Texans are scoring solely 22.3 factors per recreation, which permits groups to hold round. On Thursday, it price them a recreation they entered with appreciable momentum.

Troubling pattern: The accidents for the Texans starters are piling up. On this recreation alone, Houston misplaced left deal with Laremy Tunsil (ankle), defensive finish Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), left guard Kenyon Inexperienced (shoulder) for intervals of the sport. Even Stroud bought dinged. Tunsil, Stroud and Anderson ultimately returned to the sport, however Inexperienced did not. The Texans have been already with out their wideout duo of Nico Collins (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (knee) together with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and security Jimmie Ward (groin).

Pivotal play: Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was known as for a questionable unlawful contact on fourth down on the primary play of the fourth quarter, nullifying a Rodgers incompletion that may have turned the ball over to Houston on downs. Just a few performs later, Rodgers threw a landing cross that Wilson caught with one hand to place the Jets up 14-10.

Silver lining: The Texans get a mini-bye to get wholesome for his or her Week 10 recreation towards the 6-1 Lions. That’ll be a troublesome matchup, however at the very least the Texans will get more healthy with the attainable return of Collins, Al-Shaair and Ward.

Most shocking efficiency: Tank Dell completed with six catches for 126 yards. This was the primary 100-yard recreation he has had since Week 11 in 2023. Dell’s efficiency was wanted with wideouts Collins and Diggs sidelined. However the Texans could not flip it into extra factors. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent recreation: vs. Detroit Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 10)