Rodgers Helps Break Losing Streak

Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon

MetLife Stadium

By Shara Talia Taylor

The New York Jets had a turnaround performance on Halloween as they came from behind to defeat the Houston Texans 21-13.

The win was a big treat for fans in costume enjoying the team on an unusually warm October night, but it was especially sweet for Jeff Ulbrich to mark his first victory as interim head coach and the end of five straight losses. New York’s defense stopped any trick plays and allowed only one touchdown in the first half, while the offense came alive after halftime with three touchdowns, including two thrillers by wide receiver Garett Wilson who caught both passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers with one hand.

“Really cool game for this team after three weeks of a lot of adversity, a lot of setbacks, some self-imposed,” said Coach Ulbrich. “For them to have the resiliency to come back and play the way they did against a really good opponent, I was proud of them.”

The Jets overcame a rocky start to the game and pushed ahead. Neither New York nor Houston scored in the first quarter. Rodgers tossed the ball to (WR) Malachi Corley, who ran for a touchdown in the second quarter. However, he dropped the ball short of the goal line in celebration, and it was ruled a touchback.

“Definitely frustrated, to be honest, and angry at the same time, but what an amazing opportunity for this kid to learn and grow from,” Coach Ulbrich said.

New York trailed 7-0 at the end of the second quarter, but returned from halftime ready to work.

“Just keep communicating,” Rodgers said he told his teammates at halftime. “Talked to the line about what runs they like, talked to receivers about a couple different things that were there before, but we just had to stay positive and had to believe.”

Rodgers passed to Wilson for a touchdown when 9:09 minutes remained in the third quarter. The attempt for the extra point by Riley Patterson, New York’s newly acquired kicker, was good. (K) Greg Zuerlein was placed on the injured reserve list for a knee injury early last week. Patterson joined the team to replace him and added to the active roster.

“I was really proud of him,” Coach Jeff Ulbrich said about Patterson’s play. “He came out on Wednesday and we did a little kicking competition and he won it and the team had some confidence in him.”

Rodgers heaved a 26-yard deep pass to Wilson for a touchdown with about 13:01 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The kick by Patterson was good for the extra point.

Rodgers later connected with (WR) Davante Adams for a 37-yard touchdown pass with about 3:02 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Patterson then added an extra point.

Rodgers completed 22 of 32 passes for 211 yards. The Jets’ defense made eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 64 combined tackles and assists.

Houston’s (QB) C.J. Stroud completed 11 of 30 passes for 191 yards. The Texans defense made two sacks, four quarterback hits and 52 combined tackles and assists.

The Jets next travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.