Zach Wilson returned as the Jets quarterback on Sunday, replacing the injured Mike White with dreams of not only reclaiming the job he lost but reviving New York’s playoff hopes in the AFC wild card race.
After Week 15’s matchup with the Lions, it’s clear he failed on at least one account. On his own, Wilson was mercurial guiding Gang Green, flashing both big-time playmaking and head-scratching decisions.
In the end, however, coaching really did him in, as the Jets’ curious late-game clock management, coupled with a clutch fourth-down Jared Goff touchdown, allowed Detroit to pull off a 20-17 victory at MetLife Stadium.
Down 17-13 after Wilson found C.J. Uzomah for his second TD of the day, the Lions faced a fourth-and-1 near midfield with just 1:49 left to play. That’s when Ben Johnson dialed up a play-action pass, and Goff found a wide-open Brock Wright rolling left. Wright proceeded to rumble his way 51 yards for the go-ahead score, shifting the game into Detroit’s favor.
The Lions (7-7), still in the NFC wild card race, will visit the Panthers (5-9) on Christmas Eve.The Jets (7-7), meanwhile, will look to snap their three-game losing streak against the Jaguars (6-8), who will visit MetLife on Thursday to kick off Week 16.
Game Break 