Zach Wilson’s reputation around the league through his first two seasons was being a turnover monster. However, this year the former BYU product has turned things around with the New York Jets.
Over the last five games, Wilson has only thrown one interception. He is one of only two quarterbacks this season that have only tossed one pick in their last 170+ passing attempts.
The only other passer to accomplish that feat is rookie CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans.
“Jets Today” noted on X previously Twitter that “It is the fewest interceptions in a 5-game stretch since his rookie season.”
Wilson Has Evolved as the Jets QB in 2023
In the first 24 games of Wilson’s career with the Jets he tossed 22 interceptions. He was too loosey-goosey with the ball and didn’t value possessions.
Something has clicked over the last five games with Wilson reigning it in but also executing the offense.
It hasn’t been dynamic by any means. The Jets are No. 30 in total offensive yards per game, No. 31 in passing yards per game, and Gang Green averages only 18 points per game [No. 26 in the NFL].
At least he has stopped turning the ball over. That’s progress. Despite the not so dynamic offensive numbers, the Jets have won in spite of it.
The Jets have won three straight and sit at 4-3 in the thick of the AFC playoff race. However as many have pointed out, this recipe for winning isn’t sustainable over the long term.
Time for Wilson to Make a Massive Leap for the Jets
Eventually the Jets’ offensive problems in the red zone and on third downs is going to catch up to them.
According to Team Rankings, the Jets are last in the league in red zone scoring percentage (26.32 percent). The green and white are even worse converting on third downs with a 22.99 percent conversion rate. Not only is that last in the league, but the next closest team is at 31.07 percent (Cleveland Browns).
What better time than the present to turn this ship around? The LA Chargers actually might be the perfect get right game for the Jets in Week 9 on Monday Night Football.
The Chargers have the worst pass defense [297.4 per game] in the league and the gap between them and No. 31 is massive [263.5 per game]. The most passing yards Wilson has thrown for this season is 245 and that was back in Week 4 versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
On “Boy Green Daily” earlier this week, Daniel Wade of the “Locked on Chargers” podcast said every opposing quarterback has had their best game against this LA defense.
There are opportunities in prime time for Wilson to come out of his shell. He accomplished that during the Week 4 Chiefs game.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Wilson completed nearly 72 percent of his passes, threw two touchdown passes, no interceptions, and threw for over 245 passing yards.
My bold prediction on “Boy Green Daily” on Friday, November 3 was that Wilson will “out-duel” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Wilson somehow accomplished that against Patrick Mahomes, maybe lightning can strike twice in the same place during the 2023 season.
Zach Wilson is going top POP in primetime