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Jets vs. Texans winners and losers: Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley

Vaseline November 1, 2024

Garrett Wilson’s touchdown might have saved the New York Jets’ season.

Wilson’s go-ahead, highlight-reel touchdown reception gave the Jets a lead in the fourth quarter and they were able to hold on and win 21-13 against the Houston Texans on “Thursday Night Football.”

The Jets’ win ended their five-game losing streak. Houston has lost two of its last three games.

Aaron Rodgers finished with 211 passing yards and three touchdowns. Two of Rodgers’ touchdowns were caught by Wilson, who finished with nine catches for 90 yards.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ winners and losers from the Thursday night tilt:

WINNERS

Garrett Wilson

Wilson made an acrobatic one-handed catch and managed to get his shin in at the back of the end zone. Officials originally called Wilson’s TD catch incomplete, but reversed the call after review.

Wilson’s circus reception gave the Jets a 14-10 lead with 12:54 left in the fourth quarter and the team played inspired football after the score.

The chemistry between Wilson and Rodgers is improving. Wilson’s had at least five catches and more than 60 receiving yards in the past five games.

Wilson opened the scoring for the Jets on Thursday night with another impressive upset.

Davante Adams also contributed, with seven catches, 91 yards and a touchdown.

The defense of the fighter jets

The Jets’ defense held Texans QB CJ Stroud to a career-high 36% completion percentage and sacked the quarterback eight times. Stroud was under duress for much of the game and finished with a passer rating of 59.2.

Linebacker Jamien Sherwood and defenseman Micheal Clemons each had two sacks. Clemons produced a season-high nine pressures. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams had four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.

(Some) fans from the New York area

All Jets fans who double as Yankees fans got a victory to cheer about 24 hours after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Yankees to win the World Series 4-1.

Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said the team was in “a moment of darkness” after last week’s frustrating loss to the New England Patriots. The team found some light on Thursday.

LOSERS

Malachi Corley

The Jets pulled off a nice reverse to Corley in the first half, with the wide receiver racing down the right side with blockers in front for what appeared to be a 19-yard touchdown. However, Corley inexplicably celebrated too early; he threw the football behind him just before crossing the plane. The football rolled calmly through the back of the end zone.

The officials ruled the play a touchback and awarded the football to Houston.

Corley’s potential touchdown would have given the Jets a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. Instead, the Jets trailed 7-0 at halftime.

Texans wide receivers not named Tank Dell

With Stefon Diggs suffering a season-ending ACL injury and Nico Collins currently on reserve with a hamstring injury, the non-Dell wide receivers struggled to create separation.

Dell easily led the Texans with six catches and 126 yards. Robert Woods was the only other wide receiver to record a catch and he only had two. Dell, Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz were the only players to catch passes in the loss.

The good news is that Collins is expected to retire from IR soon.

Interior of the Texans O-line

Texans guard Kendrick Green and the rest of Houston’s offensive line had an off night. Stroud faced constant pressure, especially from within. Green struggled to block New York’s stunts.

Stroud was sacked eight times during the loss. He was hit eleven times in total.

Trade candidate?

Mike Williams

Williams, involved in ongoing trade negotiations, has had another quiet night at the office. The Jets wide receiver had one catch for 6 yards and imposed a (questionable) illegal contact penalty on Texans safety Jalen Pitre.

The Jets acquired Williams in March after he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers, but he has not been able to build a bond with Rodgers since arriving in New York.

Follow Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY Sports on X @TheTylerDragon.

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Jets vs. Texans winners and losers: Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley