The New York Jets stand at a record of 5-3 after their first eight games, better than most would have expected. Still, there are concerns for the Jets that were exposed in the last game: Quarterback Zach Wilson.

Munich/East Rutherford – The mood for the New York Jets might actually be good, looking at the overall situation.

Five wins out of eight games, the sixth best defence in terms of yards allowed as well as a playoff spot. The Jets haven’t been in such a good position for ages.

If it weren’t for the nagging issue of the quarterback. Because in the recent 17-22 loss to the arch-rival New England Patriots, the loss to a not-so-overmatched opponent had a name for many: Zach Wilson.

Will Wilson hold the Jets back? Experts agree

After twelve straight losses to their hated Massachusetts neighbours, Jets fans were hopeful they could finally break the spell. Instead, it was above all the offence that disappointed across the board: only 49 percent of the balls were touched and three interceptions by Wilson. The two touchdowns and 355 yards don’t help much.

The intercepted balls in particular were a source of perplexity. On one interception he overran his target by about a metre on a short pass, later he tried to throw a ball away which was too short and was also intercepted.

There was clear criticism from “ESPN” pundit and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky. “He needs to understand that he doesn’t just have the ball in his hands, he has the jobs of all the people in this organisation. Grow up. You’re not playing second-rate schools in college here anymore, this is the NFL,” he even addressed him directly.

“There’s a difference between aggressive and negligent. Wilson is negligent. You have 70 snaps in a game, use them. You’re holding your football team back right now,” Orlovsky continued. There was agreement in the expert panel with Ryan Clark (former safety) and Rex Ryan (former head coach of the New York Jets).

Saleh takes Wilson to task – fans split

At a mandatory media session in the week leading up to the tough game against the Buffalo Bills, head coach Robert Saleh had to come to the defense of his quarterback. In doing so, however, he made more use of phrases and stick-to-itiveness slogans.

“He’s our quarterback,” he said when asked. “He’s still young. It’s clear he’s still making mistakes. He’s gotten a lot better already. […] Every quarterback has a bad day.” If there had been a phrase bank next to the head coach, he probably would have been significantly poorer at that press conference.

And Wilson himself? He’s at a loss himself, it seems. “Sometimes you sit there and you look at it and you think, ‘Why did I just do that?”‘ Logically, missing running back Breece Hall and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker doesn’t make it any easier, but it shouldn’t be an excuse.

The fans must have asked themselves the same question as Wilson. In between, there were even boos for the Jets’ offence. New York is not an easy place to play. And the defence did its best: six sacks on Mac Jones, one interception and only one touchdown allowed.

In forums, groups and conversations, fans disagree on what to make of their playmaker. While some are already calling for him to become the starter, others are urging patience and want to see the Patriots debacle, which was reminiscent of the worst Sam Darnold times – cue ghosts – as a slip.

After all, Wilson did not commit a turnover in the three games before that, and the Jets won all three games. Just a coincidence or a sign of things to come? Still, Wilson is 34th in the league in passer rating – remember, there are only 32 teams in the NFL.

Rehabilitation against Buffalo?

Now we go from a good defense in the NFL to a duel with the best defense in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills allow an average of only 14 points per game, best in the league.

But since the Bills also have the second-best offence in the league, Zach Wilson can’t really give the ball away to the other team if the Jets want to have a chance.

By the way, Wilson lost his only duel with the Bills so far. Earlier this year, still in the 2021 season, they went 10-27, with Wilson getting only seven of his 20 balls to the man and getting sacked eight times.

Not good omens, but the NFL has proven many times that anyone can beat anyone.

And when Zach Wilson actually manages to get the narrative as well as the momentum on his side, the boos quickly turn into loud cheers. As befits the location of New York.