EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Trailing within the fourth quarter, his workforce’s season teetering on the brink, huge receiver Garrett Wilson delivered OBJ 2.0 — a spectacular, one-handed catch in the long run zone that propelled the New York Jets to a 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday evening at MetLife Stadium.
Wilson’s 26-yard landing, his second of the sport, was the speak of a jubilant postgame locker room. Some gamers mentioned it reminded them of Odell Beckham Jr.’s iconic catch for the New York Giants 10 years in the past in the identical stadium (identical finish zone, completely different facet).
Others described it as Michael Jordan-esque. In truth, Wilson — in midair — resembled the Jumpman brand, along with his legs cut up and proper hand excessive within the air as he snatched Aaron Rodgers’ third-and-21 cross in entrance of Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
“He regarded like he was Jordan,” defensive deal with Javon Kinlaw mentioned. “Unbelievable.”
Initially dominated incomplete as a result of Wilson acquired just one foot down, the Jets received a replay problem after officers dominated that his left shin landed inbounds at the back of the tip zone. Based mostly on the principles, one shin equals two ft.
“Oh, my goodness,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich mentioned. “I imply, I used to be speaking to the ref once they had been reviewing it. I am like, ‘Only for the sake of posterity, it’s a must to let it stand simply so it goes down in historical past.’ It will rival the Odell catch. It was wonderful.”
Large receiver Davante Adams mentioned he did not see the replay till after the sport. He joked with Wilson concerning the catch, saying it was so much like the Jumpman brand that he might need to change his endorsement allegiance.
“I instructed him he may get kicked from Adidas after that one,” Adams mentioned. “That one regarded like he is headed over to Jumpman with me. We will see. I will speak to some individuals about that one. I am not going to say they will substitute the emblem as a result of Mike may not like me saying that, however that was a tough catch.”
Not solely was it acrobatic, but it surely was essential, because the Jets (3-6) snapped a five-game dropping streak to protect their faint playoff hopes. After a dreadful first half, the Jets scored a landing on their final three drives to drag out a digital must-win.
Wilson, who had a crucial drop in a Week 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, completed with 9 catches for 90 yards. His first landing, a 21-yarder, additionally was a one-handed seize. That was good, however his second landing may turn into a turning level within the season.
“I used to be like, ‘That is an excellent one, that is an excellent one. And it is acquired to rely,'” Wilson mentioned. “I keep in mind saying to all of them, I am like, ‘Y’all gassing me up too early. This has to rely, y’all, let’s chill.’ As soon as it counted, I used to be like, ‘Yeah, all proper, now y’all can inform me no matter.'”
Wilson was 14 years previous when Beckham made his legendary catch towards the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson was at his household’s residence in Texas, watching along with his father.
“Man, Odell’s, it was completely different,” Wilson mentioned. “He acquired two ft down. The ball was going to land out of bounds, and it was Odell, man. It was Odell towards the Cowboys. That was the one. So for this to even come up in that convo, I am blessed. I am honored.”
Wilson’s landing gave the Jets a 14-10 lead with 12:54 left. The clincher got here when Rodgers (22-for-32, 211 yards) threw his third scoring cross, a 37-yarder to Adams for his first receiving landing since being traded by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Rodgers admitted he was “horrible” within the first half, throwing for less than 32 yards, matching a profession low. The low level got here when rookie huge receiver Malachi Corley, on his first NFL carry, fumbled the ball out of the tip zone for a touchback — an enormous gaffe.
Corley, who acquired the ball on a jet sweep, had a transparent path to the tip zone however launched the ball earlier than he crossed the objective line. He celebrated as if he had scored his first landing, however a replay overview confirmed that he was quick.
Rodgers referred to as it a “foolish” play. Corley did not stick round to speak about it, leaving earlier than the media was allowed within the locker room.
Ulbrich admitted he was “positively pissed off, to be trustworthy — and offended on the identical time. However what a tremendous alternative for this child to study and develop from. I promise you, 10 years from now when he is nonetheless taking part in on this league, that may by no means occur once more.”
The Jets trailed after a sloppy and listless first half, however then Wilson scored. And scored once more, with a catch they are going to be speaking about for a very long time.
“Yeah, that is up there,” Wilson mentioned. “Simply given that it is the stage is on — it is within the NFL. However after I was in Little League, man, I used to have some catches now. For actual, bro. So it felt like I used to be going again to these days a bit of bit.”
