In his second NY Jets game, Zach Wilson played so poorly against the New England Patriots that he was booed in the fourth quarter. Welcome to the NFL.
After impressing everybody with his Week 1 performance against the Carolina Panthers, Wilson put together a disastrous outing in Week 2. So begins the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with being a Jets fan.
Maybe it wasn't so bad, one fan might contemplate as he turns off the television in the first half. Oh, but it was.
Wilson's first start against the New England Patriots made history for all the wrong reasons: the No. 2 pick threw three interceptions in the first half and was the first player since at least 1991 to throw picks on his first two pass attempts in a game.
He threw one more interception in the third quarter, which was arguably the worst of them all. At the start of the second half, Wilson threw a flat-footed ball directly to the Patriots' defense despite having a clean pocket to make a good play.
NY Jets QB Zach Wilson has a historically bad and boo-worthy game against the Patriots
Interception No. 4 was it for Jets fans (and this game was played at home, mind you), and the boos started raining in on the rookie QB.
It took just over three quarters for Jets fans to turn on their offense, led by rookie QB Zach Wilson. Boos were raining down from MetLife Stadium during an ugly possession that ended with a turnover on downs. NY is trailing NE 22-3. Wilson is 11-of-19 for 99 yards, four INTs.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 19, 2021
Wow. This has gotten ugly. Really LOUD boos for Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson after two straight overthrows, including one to a wide open RB Michael Carter in the flat.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) September 19, 2021
So much for patience.
Zach Wilson’s fourth-down pass is nearly intercepted.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 19, 2021
So he’s thrown four picks and had two dropped by #Patriots defenders. #Jets turn it over on downs. More boos.
The last two picks are the most concerning if you watch Wilson's sloppy footwork and rash decision-making. The Jets' offensive line performed much better this game, so Wilson has no excuses for his downright pitiful performance.
The sole good news may be that Wilson is not alone in the "disappointing rookie QB" group. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence has also been piling up the picks, but Lawrence also had more to show for his mistakes this week.
Then again, Lawrence hasn't faced Bill Belichick's defense yet. Rookie quarterbacks tend to flail against Belichick, as only six total rookie QBs have bested the Patriots' veteran coach in 27 attempts.
Two of those were none other than Jets former QBs Geno Smith in 2013 and Mark Sanchez in 2009, who both won at home.
Wilson managed to bounce back from a crummy first half against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, but that wasn't the case this week.
He deserved every "boo" in his icy welcome to the MetLife Stadium — next game and for the rest of the season, he'll have to work that much harder to win Jets fans' hearts.