Jets' Zach Wilson on Critics: No One Outside of Team Knows What They're Talking About

Zach Wilson doesn't want to hear criticism from anyone not directly affiliated with the New York Jets.

With a Sunday rematch against the New England Patriots looming, the quarterback was asked about his emotions after the first matchup in which he threw three interceptions in a poor performance.

"I thought they were good emotions," he said, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I mean, I was frustrated. I still believe that nobody outside of this building knows what they're talking about."

While Wilson did throw for 355 yards and two touchdowns in the 22-17 loss, the three interceptions prevented him from building any consistent momentum in the defeat.

It was also more of the same against the rival Patriots, as Cimini noted he has two touchdown passes to seven interceptions and an 0-3 record as a starter in such contests. The offense has also failed to score more than 17 points in a single game.

"I don't necessarily feel like I have to prove anything, like, 'Last game didn't go great, and I have to do something different this time,'" Wilson said.

He may feel that way, but Jets quarterbacks are partially judged by how they perform against New England. If the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft is going to become the franchise quarterback the organization had hoped for, turning around its recent history against its rivals would be an ideal starting point.

The Patriots enter Sunday's matchup with a 13-game winning streak against the Jets. They are also winners of 21 of the last 23 matchups.

That won't change if Wilson isn't more protective of the ball when New York takes the field Sunday. To his credit, he bounced back from the loss to the Patriots by leading his team to a stunning 20-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

The BYU product went 18-of-25 for 154 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, letting the talent around him make plays and avoiding the mistakes that proved so critical the last time out against a divisional foe.

It is the exact formula he may need to follow in Sunday's rematch.