The New York Post e-Edition

Fast start could give Jets needed big lift

Brian.costello@nypost.com

The Jets have started games this year like an old car on a winter morning.

They sputter and stall and stumble as they search for some kind of rhythm. It has been particularly bad with rookie Zach Wilson at quarterback. In the seven games started by Wilson, the Jets have been outscored 44-3 in the first quarter. That lone field goal came last week against the Texans. In the four games without Wilson, the Jets have been outscored 24-21 in the opening quarter.

A fast start could go a long way for the Jets (3-8) as they face the Eagles (5-7) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Eagles reportedly will be without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who injured his ankle against the Giants last week. Gardner Minshew is expected to start for Philadelphia against Wilson and the Jets.

“I think it’s just getting comfortable and settled in,” Wilson said. “There’s not one thing to point at or I don’t even really think it needs to be necessarily a huge point of emphasis, because I think the more you put on it, I guess the harder it becomes. You just got to go out and play ball, and I think that’s my mindset is I just got to come out ripping it from the beginning and just playing fast and just getting into a rhythm from the beginning. I don’t think there’s any secret to it, you just got to be able to go out and do it.”

Last week at Houston, Wilson took 1 ½ quarters before he looked comfortable. He completed his first pass then missed his next five, including an interception. This season, Wilson is 10-for-28 (36 percent) for 75 yards with no touchdowns, three interceptions and just five first downs in the opening quarter.

Wilson’s splits by half are not much better. In the first half of games, he is 42-for-85 (49 percent) for 387 yards with no TDs and seven INTs. In the second half he is: 72-for-113 (64 percent) for 869 yards, four TDs and three INTs.

Coach Robert Saleh said Wilson is getting sped up early in games and that is hurting his production.

“When he speeds up, he’s going to lose that timing and he’s going to lose that trust because things are happening faster than they actually should be,” Saleh said. “It’s not until the game happens where he starts getting into a groove . ... Long answer short, he’s got to get comfortable in this thing and it’s going to take reps and time.”

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2021-12-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://nypost.pressreader.com/article/282926683681114

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