It’s been a while since Jets-Patriots was a rivalry, but that’s something wide receiver Garrett Wilson is adamant about changing this weekend as New York attempts to snap a 14-game losing streak to its big brother.
During an appearance on 98.7 ESPN New York’s “Bart and Hahn,” Wilson didn’t mince words, telling hosts Bart Scott and Alan Hahn, “It’s time that things change around here… 14 straight is unacceptable. That’s unacceptable. I’m 0-2 against them. That’s unacceptable.”
That’s a lot of “unacceptable,” but it shows how much it irks Wilson that the Patriots swept the Jets last season.
“I feel like that’s why they brought me here, brought me and Sauce Gardner here … to make things like that change. It’s time we do what we get paid for,” Wilson continued.
Of course, no one is faulting Wilson or cornerback Gardner for the team’s unsightly record against New England.
Wilson had six receptions for 115 yards in the Jets’ 22-17 Week 8 loss to the Patriots last season, while Gardner played strongly (as did the entire defense) in the team’s 10-3 loss in Week 10.
The pressure is on quarterback Zach Wilson. He was forced into action in Week 1 after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear and justified the team’s decision to trade for Rodgers by continuing to struggle. He leads the league in interceptions (four) and has the lowest completion percentage (54.2 percent) among qualifying quarterbacks.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick won’t take it easy on Wilson. In four career starts against New England, Wilson is 54-of-106 (50.9 percent) for 693 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Jets averaged 9.8 points and were outscored 111-39.