Jets QB Zach Wilson takes swipe at critics forward of Patriots rematch

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — For the primary time in his younger profession, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was subjected to intense criticism following his three-interception recreation in opposition to the New England Patriots on Oct. 30.

Making ready for Sunday’s rematch, Wilson, maybe emboldened by a pleasant rebound efficiency, took a swipe at his critics.

Requested to recall his feelings from the final New England recreation, Wilson stated Thursday, “I believed they have been good feelings. I imply, I used to be pissed off. I nonetheless consider that no one outdoors of this constructing is aware of what they’re speaking about.”

Wilson did throw for a career-high 355 yards and two touchdowns in that recreation, nevertheless it was overshadowed by the turnovers that undermined the Jets of their 22-17 loss.

The previous No. 2 general decide quieted a lot of the noise together with his finest recreation of the yr within the Nov. 6 upset of the Buffalo Payments, however his coach nonetheless appears chafed by the fallout from the New England recreation. Robert Saleh stated individuals are “holding him hostage” for a couple of dangerous performs.

“From a story standpoint, to attempt to assault a younger man for 4 or 5 performs which can be 4 or 5 teachable moments, in my thoughts, I feel we’re lacking the massive image on it,” Saleh stated. “That is all.”

The AFC East rivals meet once more, and the stakes are enormous. The Jets (6-3) will transfer into first place with a win over the Patriots (5-4) at Gillette Stadium.

Wilson has but to unravel the Patriots. In three begins, together with an injury-shortened recreation, he has seven interceptions and solely two landing passes. The Jets failed to attain greater than 17 factors in any of these video games, all losses.

“I do not essentially really feel like I’ve to show something, like, ‘Final recreation did not go nice and I’ve to do one thing totally different this time,'” Wilson stated.

Wilson did say he realized lots from the earlier assembly. Equivalent to: “After I throw the ball away, I’ve obtained to throw the ball away” — a reference to a careless interception during which he threw it to security Devin McCourty whereas making an attempt to sail it out of bounds.

One other interception, by McCourty, got here when Wilson pressured the ball downfield into protection, making an attempt to make one thing out of nothing.

One other lesson realized.

“Even in a second of feeling such as you need to make a play and have one thing occur, you possibly can’t simply throw a ball up like I did,” Wilson stated.

To his credit score, he rebounded with a clear recreation in opposition to the Payments — 18-for-25, 154 yards, one landing and no interceptions. It was the Jets’ largest win in seven years.

“This child may be very, very resilient,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur stated. “He cares about profitable soccer video games, he cares about getting nearly as good as he can probably be, he cares about his teammates. It is cliché, however I swear by it, and that is why I consider on this child a lot, as a result of he’s extraordinarily resilient.”