Some people run from a challenge and then there are others, like New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who not only welcome those opportunities but relish them. Even when that means facing the reigning champion Chiefs.
“These are the type of games you want to be involved with: the games you want to have all the things on your table,” Wilson said via Jets.com on September 29. ”Blame it on yourself at the end of the day or be the reason we win at the end of the day.”
Wilson even got specific about the challenges he and the offense will face.
“[No.] 38, [L’Jarius] Sneed is a really good player,” Wilson said. “Justin Reid, I mean, Trent McDuffie, I’ve known him for a long time. They got a great group. They really know that defense they’re running, that scheme they’re running. It’s a great scheme, too. And when you have great players running it, it’s an overall great defense. They front seven is good. [They] fly around. Chris Jones, I mean, we’re excited to go up against this group, for sure.”
Garrett Wilson ‘Excited’ to face Chris Jones, Others when Jets Visit Chiefs
Chris Jones’ Impact is Clear
The Chiefs got off to an inauspicious start to the season, dropping their opener to the Detroit Lions. But back-to-back victories – including a 41-20 romp over the visiting Chicago Bears – look to have gotten the offense back humming with Travis Kelce healthy.
Wilson’s note of Chris Jones as the lone non-secondary player should speak for itself. If not, know that the Chiefs’ lowest pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus came in Week 1.
Jones missed that game as he was holding out for a new contract.
Welcome back, Chris Jones 💪
📺: #KCvsJAX on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/t4FMe9LrK0— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
He has recorded 2.5 sacks in the two games since despite missing the entire offseason program and preseason seeking his new deal. That production explains in part why Chiefs general manager Brett Veach needed to get the four-time Pro Bowler back in the building. It also sets up an interesting next offseason.
Kansas City is mounting a title defense knowing it can still play better football. Injuries and suspensions continue to take a toll with Nick Bolton and Jaylen Watson who are both set to miss this game, and Charles Omenihu serving the fourth of a six-game suspension.
Chiefs Face Underperforming Jets
“We’re going to have an opportunity to go out there and keep up with one of the best offenses the last three or four years in football, and we’re excited for the opportunity,” Wilson continued. “We know we have to keep up, we know what problems are going to arise this weekend and it’s going to be our job to respond, and I feel like we’ll be able to.”
The Chiefs’ scoring totals through three weeks have been: 20, 17, 41. The Jets’ defense has allowed 61 points in that span, the 12th fewest in the league.
“We want to outmatch them [point-for-point],” said Wilson. “Whatever it takes to win.”
Even if the Jets can hold Patrick Mahomes and Co. in check, their offense has to step up. They have scored 22 points, 10 points, and 10 points, in that order. However, Kansas City’s defense has been stingy – thanks in part to a soft opening slate. They are allowing just 40 points in three games.
That ranks fourth in the league. Wilson will need quarterback Zach Wilson (2:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio with eight sacks taken) to play the game of his career to make this one as interesting as it once promised to be. That was before Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury. Rodgers will be in attendance for the game, as will Taylor Swift (in case you haven’t heard). That will add some of the drama back.
Main Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY NETWORK
