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Zach Wilson Called Out by NFL Twitter as Jets Lose to Lions with Mike White Injured
December 18, 2022
Zach Wilson's short NFL career has been a siren song for the New York Jets. It's hard to ignore the tantalizing upside and ability, but behind that facade awaits a rocky shore.
Sunday was the latest wreck. Wilson's struggles contributed to New York's 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions, although the defense's inability to protect a late lead didn't help.
Still, Wilson and the Jets had 1:49 left on the clock late in the fourth quarter and all three timeouts, only needing to get into field-goal range to force overtime. Instead, he took two sacks on the final drive and could only get the Jets to the Detroit 40-yard line, setting up a 58-yard field-goal attempt for Greg Zuerlein that was missed short.
On the day, Wilson finished 18-of-35 for 317 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, taking four sacks.
While there was plenty of blame to go around in the loss, NFL Twitter honed in on the second-year quarterback:
The Jet Press @TheJetPressHere's the Zach Wilson thread:<br><br>Credit for Wilson for getting the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a> in a position to win. He made a few big boy throws.<br><br>That said his mistakes and inaccuracy was a large part of the reason they lost.<br><br>Jets had open WRs almost every play. Wilson missed half of them. (1/3)
Mike Greenberg @EspngreenyThis is coming apart at the seams for Zach Wilson. He looks rattled, teammates frustrated, fans restless. Season on the line - feels like the defense is gonna have to make a play that changes the game. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a>
The Jets are floundering. Sunday's loss was their fifth in the past seven games, dropping them to 7-7 on the season. Their odds of reaching the postseason are fading, and fast. Contrast that to the Lions (7-7), who have won six of their last seven and suddenly are firmly in the NFC playoff mix.
Some of the Jets' turbulence comes from the all-or-nothing play of Wilson, who can absolutely take your breath away on consecutive plays for completely different reasons. Sunday was the perfect microcosm of his career in that regard:
New York Jets @nyjetsBOOM!<a href="https://twitter.com/ZachWilson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZachWilson</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/cj_uzomah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cj_uzomah</a> for six!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsNYJ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsNYJ</a> on CBS <a href="https://t.co/An1VAViD4m">pic.twitter.com/An1VAViD4m</a>
New York Jets @nyjets.<a href="https://twitter.com/ZachWilson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZachWilson</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/jsmoothiiee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jsmoothiiee</a> for 50!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsNYJ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsNYJ</a> on CBS <a href="https://t.co/T0vpx56dpQ">pic.twitter.com/T0vpx56dpQ</a>
NFL @NFLPicked! <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lions</a> are deep into Jets territory following the turnover. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnePride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnePride</a><br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsNYJ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsNYJ</a> on CBS<br>📱: Stream on NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/nW0d7KOLXR">https://t.co/nW0d7KOLXR</a> <a href="https://t.co/bWg1ZQV9UJ">pic.twitter.com/bWg1ZQV9UJ</a>
Wilson undoubtedly has more talent than Mike White, who missed Sunday's game with fractured ribs. But there was a reason the Jets turned to White as the starter and moved Wilson to the third-stringer or inactive role for the past three games.
The Jets seemed to have more stability on offense with White under center. Wilson offers far more chaos.
On Sunday, a steady hand may have been enough to earn a win. But it's hard to know where Wilson will steer the ship on a weekly basis, and this latest game wasn't the exception.