Zach Wilson Balls Out But Jets Lose to Chiefs in Wild Finish
Sunday night’s Jets-Chiefs game started out all about the Swiftie’s, by the end it was all about Zach Wilson, and a controversial finish that left Gang Green at 1-3 following a 23-20 loss to the World Champions.
Early on it appeared that the Chiefs were going to run the Jets out of the building, jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. The New York tabloids were starting to write themselves. “Jets get blown out by Champs.” “Swifties Take Over MetLife.” “What’s Next for Zach After Stinker?”
The Turnaround
It all turned around thanks to a safety when Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor was called for a facemask in the end zone. All of sudden at 17-2, the Jets turned it on. And Zach Wilson figured it out.
He started hitting receivers in tight windows, and look very comfortable in the pocket. By the end of the night, Wilson finished with 245 yards passing, and the highest passer rating of his career (105.2) in a single game.
Wilson’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard, combined with his diving for a two-point conversion tied the game at 20.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs struggled against the Jets defense.
Patrick Mahomes was flustered. He threw two interceptions, he could have thrown four picks, were it not for a dropped pick by C.J. Mosley, and the most controversial moment of the day.
With the Chiefs clinging to a 23-20 lead in the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw the ball up for grabs toward Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The ball hung up in the air and was picked by Michael Carter II. The Jets had life!!
However, a late flag was thrown on the play against Jets corner Sauce Gardner for a hold. It was ticky-tak foul, but it cost the Jets a shot.
It wasn’t the only gaff by the Jets, but it was the one everyone was talking about on Monday.
The Chiefs kept the football, and ran out the clock on the Jets, cementing the victory.
Swiftie Mania!
Yes, Taylor was in the stadium. And, yes, she got wall-to-wall coverage on NBC. And she even shared the booth with Deadpool and Wolverine actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
According to reports, the presence of Swift had a huge influence on ratings, which averaged 27 million viewers, the highest rating since the Super Bowl for the network.
Rutgers Impact:
And there was a Rutgers impact! Isiah Pacheco was dominant. He ran for 115 yards for the Chiefs, including gashing the Jets on a 48-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.
