Zach Wilson Earns First NFL Victory, Leads Jets To Win Over Titans
Oct 3, 2021, 2:50 PM | Updated: 10:38 pm
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson tasted victory for the first time in the NFL as he led the New York Jets to a win over the Tennessee Titans.
The Jets hosted the Titans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, October 3.
New York defeated Tennessee in overtime, 27-24.
FINAL/OT: The @nyjets get the first win of the Zach Wilson era! #TakeFlight #TENvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/OodZQFznWZ
— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
The Jets trailed the Titans by seven points in the fourth quarter before Wilson led a comeback.
With 11:30 remaining in regulation, the former BYU gunslinger tossed a three-yard pass to Jamison Crowder to know the game at 17-17.
TIE BALLGAME!!#TENvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/cbnAOW6KFB
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 3, 2021
Less than three minutes later, Wilson connected with Corey Davis for six points on a deep ball of 53 yards. Wilson’s second touchdown pass put the Jets up 24-17.
Zach Wilson 👀 #LocalsInTheNFL #TakeFlight #TENvsNYJ #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/jQY5N2zf21
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 3, 2021
The Titans tied the game on a touchdown with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The score sent the game into overtime.
Wilson marched the Jets down the field for a go-ahead field on the opening possession of overtime.
Tennessee’s Randy Bullock missed a potentially game-tying 49-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in overtime and New York secured its first win of the season.
Wilson finished the game 21/34 passing for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He posted a rating of 97.3.
The rookie leading the @nyjets comeback. 👀#TENvsNYJ #TakeFlight #LocalsInTheNFL https://t.co/qmGV7HeDtO
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 3, 2021
After the game, Jets head coach Robert Saleh told the team that Wilson “stepped up” before he awarded the rookie a game ball.
"I've been wanting to do this my whole life, man." pic.twitter.com/RYzpdKLRa0
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 4, 2021
With the win, the Jets improved to a record of 1-3 on the season.
New York’s next game is against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 10 at 7:30 a.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on the NFL Network.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).