Jets Snap Losing Streak with Halloween Thriller, Texans Stumble as Injuries Mount

The New York Jets snapped a tough five-game losing streak in a bizarre Thursday night game, securing a 21-13 victory over the AFC South-leading Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. With a scoreless first half, the game came alive in the second when Garrett Wilson electrified fans with two jaw-dropping, one-handed touchdown catches, including one in the fourth quarter that could easily be dubbed the catch of the year. Despite Texans’ running back Joe Mixon rushing for 106 yards, Houston’s offense struggled to gain traction, as C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times, and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two critical field goals.

Here’s a closer look at how both teams performed:

New York Jets (3-6)

On Halloween night, the Jets emerged from what coach Jeff Ulbrich called a “moment of darkness” to pull off a gritty, season-saving win filled with wild plays and plenty of resilience. The team shook off what had been one of their worst performances of the season and bounced back with a second-half surge, highlighted by Wilson’s acrobatic one-handed touchdown that lifted New York ahead in the fourth quarter. The victory also gave interim coach Ulbrich his first win following three losses, providing a glimmer of hope for a team looking to turn around a tough season.

The game was a mixed bag, however. Jets fans voiced their displeasure with management, even donning bags on their heads and chanting “Sell the team!” at owner Woody Johnson after a bleak first half, especially considering the turmoil following the firing of former head coach Robert Saleh after five games. But despite injuries and a sluggish offense in the first half, the Jets found a way to battle back from seven- and three-point deficits, showing a resilience that had been absent in previous weeks.

Game-Changing Play

The Jets added a memorable moment to their long list of “unbelievable” plays when Malachi Corley, on his very first carry in the NFL, appeared to score on a jet sweep from 19 yards out. But he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, turning what should have been his first career touchdown into a touchback for the Texans. This mistake in the second quarter kept the game scoreless and might end up as one of the season’s top blooper moments.

QB Breakdown

After a rough first half, Aaron Rodgers found his rhythm. Struggling early with just 32 yards passing, Rodgers rallied in the second half, eventually finishing with 211 yards on 22-of-32 passing and throwing for two touchdowns. He connected with Davante Adams for the game-sealing score—Adams’ first as a Jet. While Rodgers at times showed signs of his age, his leadership and experience provided the Jets with the boost they needed to close out the game.

Promising Trend

The Jets’ defensive line delivered an impressive showing, keeping constant pressure on Stroud and sacking him eight times. Defensive end Micheal Clemons and linebacker Jamien Sherwood led with two sacks each, while Quinnen Williams and Haason Reddick anchored the defense, with Williams registering seven pressures and Reddick contributing six. The front four’s performance was a key factor in the Jets’ defensive success.

Troubling Trend

The season hasn’t been easy for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, who has struggled to meet expectations. Thursday night highlighted some of these struggles as Gardner missed a tackle, allowed a 32-yard reception, and committed two penalties. Gardner’s five penalties this season now match his total from all of last year, indicating a noticeable decline in performance.

Next Game: The Jets head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 4:25 p.m. ET.

With this win, New York finally showed signs of life, and the team will look to carry this momentum forward in what could be a critical game for their season turnaround.

Houston Texans (6-3)

The Texans’ defeat on Thursday night echoed themes from their previous losses, as offensive inefficiencies continued to plague them. In each of their losses, they’ve struggled to score, averaging only 14 points, and much of that has centered around C.J. Stroud facing relentless pressure. Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times, overshadowing a solid ground game that racked up 187 rushing yards. Despite a strong rushing performance, Houston’s offensive troubles kept the Jets in the game, allowing Rodgers to lead a second-half rally with three touchdown passes.

The Texans, averaging just 22.3 points per game, are struggling to put away opponents. This trend was costly Thursday, as it allowed a New York team with limited early scoring to eventually seize control.

Troubling Trend: Injuries are stacking up for the Texans’ starters, affecting key positions on both offense and defense. Against the Jets, Houston saw left tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), and left guard Kenyon Green (shoulder) leave at various points, with only Green failing to return. Stroud also took some tough hits, while Houston entered the game already missing Nico Collins (hamstring), Stefon Diggs (knee), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), and safety Jimmie Ward (groin).

Pivotal Play: A questionable illegal contact call on cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at the start of the fourth quarter nullified a turnover on downs and kept the Jets’ drive alive. Shortly after, Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson on a one-handed touchdown grab, putting New York up 14-10 and shifting the game’s momentum.

Silver Lining: The Texans have a mini-bye before facing the 6-1 Detroit Lions, allowing time to recover and potentially bring back key players like Collins, Al-Shaair, and Ward.

Most Surprising Performance: Tank Dell stepped up in the absence of Collins and Diggs, recording six catches for 126 yards, marking his first 100-yard game since Week 11 in 2023. Dell’s production was a bright spot, although it wasn’t enough to propel the Texans to victory. — DJ Bien-Aime

Next Game: vs. Detroit Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 10)