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GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – Another test, another passing grade for Zach Wilson.
In fact, this one was an A-plus for the Jets rookie quarterback.
Wilson looked ready for the NFL in his second preseason game, completing 9 of 11 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ 23-14 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday. Wilson read the pitch right, gave a nice off-balance shot, and never looked edgy. The only blow was the level of competition faced. The Packers have rested almost all of their starters, just like the Giants had done a week earlier in Wilson’s first preseason game.
Let’s not put it in Canton yet, but the Jets and their fans should feel encouraged by Wilson’s appearance on his second time against a live defense.
Although the competition has not been top notch, Wilson has shown some promising traits. He made good decisions, progressed in his readings and led the Jets to three scores in four series. Wilson showed a connection with leading receiver Corey Davis (four catches, 70 yards) and joined tight end Tyler Kroft for two touchdown passes.
Wilson showed what kind of day it was going to be on his second assist of the game. He hit Davis for a 24-yard gain to convert a third and 8. That practice stalled and the Jets got a 54-yard field goal from Matt Ammendola for a 3-0 lead.
The Jets didn’t do much in their second practice, but Wilson got hot in their third series. He found Davis for a 14-yard gain, then made his best throw of the day. He rolled slightly to the left, worked his eyes across the field and found Davis wide open along the right sideline. Without having his feet set, Wilson winged a 27-yard pass to the Packers 16-yard line.
Three games later, Wilson again missed his first read and found Kroft in midfield for an 18-yard touchdown, his first touchdown pass of the preseason.
Kick returner Corey Ballentine set up Wilson’s fourth practice with a 73-yard kickoff return at Green Bay 30. After two 6-yard carries from Ty Johnson, Wilson connected again. with Kroft for an 18-yard touchdown and a 17-14 Jets lead with 1:53 left in the first half. This ended Wilson’s day.
While Wilson was a reason for the Jets to smile, the team’s defense had some issues against the Packers’ saves. Neither Aaron Rodgers nor Jordan Love played, and quarterback Kurt Benkert looked far too comfortable against the Jets’ starting defense.
Benkert led two touchdowns in the first half as the Jets starters were out on the pitch. Green Bay opened with a 75-yard eight-game drive that ended with rookie running back Kylin Hill coming around the outside of the Jets defense and dodging a John Franklin-Myers tackle for a touchdown. of 12 yards.
The Jets were once again separated by Benkert on a 19-play, 81-yard run that was aided by a hold appeal against CJ Mosley on the third down. Benkert picked rookie cornerback Isaiah Dunn, who replaced Bless Austin. Benkert then threw a nice touchdown pass to Jace Sternberger, who found an opening between safety Marcus Maye and cornerback Bryce Hall.
After losing defensive end Carl Lawson for the season in joint practice with the Packers on Thursday, it looks like the Jets suffered another serious injury in the game. Linebacker Jarrad Davis had to be transported to the locker room in the first half due to an ankle injury. It is not known how severe the injury is, but she did not look well.
After five days in Green Bay for two joint practices and the game, the Jets are now returning to New Jersey, where they will train with the Eagles on Tuesday and Wednesday before playing against Philadelphia in the final preseason game.
The Jets open the regular season against the Panthers in three weeks. On Saturday Wilson looked like he was on schedule.
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