The Jets won Toilet Bowl II, finishing the season undefeated against the cellar-dwelling Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. There were parallel narratives in this matchup offering genuine casual intrigue: The top of the 2022 N.F.L. draft order will be heavily influenced by the result of this game, and we were given an opportunity to see the stars of this year’s draft face off.
Wilson’s 52-yard touchdown scamper was the best play of his rookie campaign and a reminder that he can use his legs for something better than frantic scrambling out of one sack into another. He’s stacking together more efficient days in passing the ball, avoiding turnovers and making better decisions in his progressions.
Wilson’s teammates were ready to capitalize on the opportunity with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a stop on fourth-and-goal to seal the win. There’s a lot to like in this team’s fight, and losing out on potential draft positioning for a quality win is a necessary trade-off for such a young team.
I know what you’re feeling inside, Jets fans. You want to shout praise from the rooftops, proclaiming the virtues of your rookie quarterback beating another. I’m urging you to fight that impulse.
Trevor Lawrence lost to your beloved team; I cannot dispute that. But he’s still a better quarterback than Zach Wilson, and that’s OK! Whatever is to come of their career trajectories, it won’t have anything to do with this game, and that shouldn’t rob you of any of today’s joy.
In the spirit of the holiday season, let us not be prisoners of unrealistic expectations. A scooter may not be a bike, but it’s still a self-propelled device with two wheels! Make sure to appreciate the gifts you have, and avoid lamenting the ones you don’t.
Verdict: It’s not always good, and it’s not always fun, but I’m enjoying this!