The New York Jets’ defense was playing their hearts out in Week 2 against the New England Patriots, but Gang Green quarterback Zach Wilson became the latest rookie to fall victim to Bill Belichick’s ownership of young signal-callers.
Belichick entered Sunday’s AFC East duel with a 20-6 record against rookie QBs, and had Wilson absolutely flummoxed early on, as the No. 2 overall draft pick threw three first-half interceptions.
In fact, the first two attempts Wilson had were picks. The first one was a particularly ugly misread over the middle of the field, whereas the second toss actually went right through Jets wideout Corey Davis’ hands.
That's why they call him Mr. INT!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 19, 2021
J.C Jackson picks off another, with a little help from @McCourtyTwins.
:: @NFLonCBS / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/PN7Q79S9iz
Spotted with good field position and the chance to tie the score with a touchdown, though, Wilson made one of those classic rookie mistakes, completely not seeing J.C. Jackson on a sideline pass attempt. The New England cornerback easily undercut Elijah Moore to make his second interception of the game:
This is just bad football from Zach Wilson. Third INT of the half #sportsscape pic.twitter.com/TYTnW3W7sX
— Sportsscape (@sportsscape) September 19, 2021
The New York media is all over athletes and public figures when their form is less than stellar in any walk of life. You can bet they’ll have a field day with Wilson if his awful start continues.
As you might expect, in the microwave-take Twittersphere, plenty of folks weighed in on Wilson’s poor performance against the mighty Patriots.
Not to smile upon anyone’s misfortune, but some of these are pretty darn funny. After all, the best that Jets fans can do right now is to laugh this off, and hope it’s just a sign of growing pains, not an indication that Wilson is a complete bust.
Zach Wilson stans rn… pic.twitter.com/1hI8M0KyEX
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson has 3 interceptions so far and it’s the middle of the 2nd quarter. He will throw a pick to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson is 2-5 today.
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 19, 2021
Completions to Jets: 2
Completions to Patriots: 3 pic.twitter.com/PH8Sohf0KQ
In all seriousness, even the most generous evaluations of Zach Wilson had to know these games would happen as a rookie. On the road against Bill Belichick in his second start ever is the perfect recipe for disaster.
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) September 19, 2021
Whoever said Zach Wilson was better than Justin Fields is really looking foolish now https://t.co/OcOEURqf7a
— Seth Anderson (@Seth_Anderson02) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson out here looking like he's trying to get adjusted to playing on All-Madden @EAMaddenNFL #Jets #Patriots
— Brian Mazique (@UniqueMazique) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson after every throw today pic.twitter.com/AmgfwVluPp
— BetMGM (@BetMGM) September 19, 2021
ZACH WILSON IS SEEING GHOSTS! pic.twitter.com/apITXSUaZg
— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson picks > Zach Wilson pics pic.twitter.com/IBUTkn7EKh
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 19, 2021
Zach Wilson against the Patriots: pic.twitter.com/Hgh6w9HzAS
— TPS (@TotalProSports) September 19, 2021
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!