Desperation started to creep in for the New York Jets at halftime Thursday night.
A season that had so far been marked by disappointment, tumult and frustration was teetering dangerously close to hitting yet another low point against the Houston Texans.
A 21-13 victory that included an eye-popping, one-handed touchdown catch by Garrett Wilson and some vintage play by quarterback Aaron Rodgers snapped a five-game skid and served as a reminder of what the Jets believe they could — and should — be.
“It was kind of season on the line there in the second half,” Rodgers acknowledged. "Obviously, we wouldn’t have been mathematically eliminated, but mentally, to go to 2-7 would have been real, real tough.
“Hopefully this gives us confidence that we can beat anybody because we feel like we could.”
For most of the Jets' 3-6 start, they often have been beating themselves.
Mental mistakes, poor execution and subpar play have been the main culprits. It cost Robert Saleh his job as coach, fired after just five games. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich switched offensive play-calling duties from coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to pass game coordinator Todd Downing. New York traded for Davante Adams and finally got edge rusher Haason Reddick on the field after a lengthy contract holdout.
There was way more drama than wins.
It had fans disgusted, and the loud boos in the first half Thursday night had nothing to do with the game being played on Halloween. Some also were chanting for owner Woody Johnson to sell the team.
“Offense, we came in and we said that we couldn’t start or get off to a worse start,” running back Breece Hall said. “So, we knew we were only going to be better from there.”
That could be said by the Jets as far as their approach to the rest of this season.
They have a few days off before preparing to play at Arizona on Nov. 10. But they've got a lot of work to do to overcome the ugliness that marked an awful first half to the season.
“Ultimately, and I know it’s coach talk, but Arizona is all I’m focusing on,” Ulbrich said. “Like, the world may end after this Cardinals game, (but) that’s all I’m worried about is this game.”
What’s working
The pass rush. New York sacked Houston's C.J. Stroud eight times to give it 31 total this season, ranking among the NFL leaders. And Reddick's presence was felt off the edge Thursday night. He had eight pressures and a half-sack on 32 pass rushes in his second game with the Jets. Will McDonald is second in the NFL with eight sacks in a breakout second season. Quinnen Williams is also coming on with three sacks in his last two games.
What needs help
Consistency on offense. Rodgers, who turns 41 next month, didn't have a great first half of the season after coming back from a torn left Achilles tendon. A few nagging leg injuries this year had him often looking his age. But with Wilson and Adams leading the passing game and Hall coming out of the backfield, the Jets should be much more productive on offense.
“The way we played on offense in the second half (Thursday night) is the way we’ve been kind of waiting for this offense to wake up,” Rodgers said. “I know, obviously, I was as close to perfection as I needed to be, but that’s the standard I need to play at.”
Stock up
Wilson. He had already established himself as one of the NFL's top receivers, but he has taken his game to another level in his third season. Wilson leads the league with 60 catches and 94 targets, and he has five touchdown catches — but none greater than the acrobatic one-handed grab that got social media buzzing about being one of the greatest receptions of all time.
“Like, one of the historic plays in all of football,” Ulbrich said. “And to see that live is so special.”
Stock down
Greg Zuerlein. The normally reliable veteran has struggled this season, missing six of his 15 field-goal attempts and costing the Jets a few potential victories. Zuerlein is on injured reserve with an injured left, non-kicking knee. Riley Patterson replaced him and made all three of his extra points in his Jets debut.
Injuries
Wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest), edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (Achilles tendon), defensive tackle Leki Fotu (knee) and safety Chuck Clark (sprained ankle) are among the starters on IR, along with Zuerlein. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck), safeties Tony Adams (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis (concussion) and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) are key players who have missed recent games. Left guard John Simpson left Thursday night's game with an injured groin and nickel cornerback Michael Carter II is dealing with a back issue.
Key number
70 — The Jets had three consecutive touchdown drives of 70 or more yards in the second half against Houston, a peek at how efficient and effective Rodgers and New York's offense can be.
What’s next
The Jets play just one team — AFC East-rival Buffalo — currently with a winning record in their final eight games.
“We did a lot of good things in the second half (Thursday night),” Rodgers said. “We’ve got to build off of that, but hopefully that kind of lets everybody exhale a little bit. Now we’ve got a little time off and get a trip to Arizona.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
