The Jets beat the Texans and snapped a five-game losing streak

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The New York Jets came through with a much-needed win in a strange game Thursday night against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans, pulling out a 21-13 win at MetLife Stadium to snap a five-game losing streak. streak.

After a scoreless first half, Jets receiver Garrett Wilson gave New York a second-half jolt on Halloween night with two one-handed touchdown catches, the second arguably the catch of the year, to put the Jets ahead early in the fourth quarter.

The Texans got 106 rushing yards from running back Joe Mixon, but otherwise struggled as CJ Stroud was sacked eight times and Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two field goals.

Here are the key takeaways from Thursday night for both teams:

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The Jets came out of their “moment of darkness” for a season-saving win that featured a lot of weirdness, just what you’d expect on Halloween.

They overcame their worst play of the year (Malachi Corley’s fumble after a touchback) and followed it up with their best play (Wilson’s acrobatic fourth-quarter touchdown), sparking a gritty if not artistic victory over the Texans.

The Jets snapped their five-game losing streak, giving interim coach Jeff Ulbrich his first win after three losses. They were desperate. It was so gloomy after Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots that Ulbrich dropped the “darkness” quote. His team, battling several injuries in the game, showed a lot of heart in rebounding from seven- and three-point deficits, something that had been lacking.

They also showed resilience. The first half was so ugly (69 total yards) that disgruntled fans, some with bags over their heads, shouted, “Sell the team!” — aimed at owner Woody Johnson, who rocked the franchise by firing Robert Saleh after five games.

If the Jets turn their season around, Wilson’s touchdown will be the turning point — a leaping, one-handed play in the back of the end zone that was one of the best catches of the season. Wilson, coming back from a bad game two weeks ago, scored two touchdowns to lead the way on a night where they were able to overcome a lot of mistakes.

Pivotal game: The franchise that gave us the “But Fumble” (and other various bloopers over the years) provided another moment of indignity. Corley scored an apparent touchdown on a 19-yard jet sweep, but he released the ball before crossing the goal line and it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback — an inexcusable gaffe in what was then a scoreless second-quarter game. It was the first move of his career and it would have been his first touchdown. You can bet the play will be showing in lowlight movies in 2024.

QB breakdown: Maybe Aaron Rodgers’ cayenne pepper/water concoction needed a little time to kick in. After a terrible first half (he matched a career-low with 32 yards passing), Rodgers jumped up and threw touchdowns in the second half and connected with old friend Davante Adams for the game’s clincher — Adams’ first touchdown as a Jet. Rodgers (22-for-32, 211 yards) looked like a 40-year-old QB at times, but he made enough game-winning plays.

Promising trend: The front four brought the heat as the Jets sacked CJ Stroud eight times. Defensive end Micheal Clemons and linebacker Jamien Sherwood led the way with two apiece, but it was tackle Quinnen Williams (one sack, seven pressures) and Haason Reddick (six pressures) that generated the most heat.

Disturbing trend: What happens to Sauce Gardner? The All-Pro cornerback hasn’t been himself this season, and this was the latest illustration of a talented player struggling to find his mojo. On three consecutive plays in the second quarter, he missed a tackle, allowed a 32-yard completion and committed a team penalty. It was his fifth penalty to match his 2023 total. He added a sixth later in the fourth quarter. Like many players on the team, Gardner has not played up to expectations. — Rich Cimini

Next game: at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 10)

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The Texans’ loss was similar to their previous two defeats as they were plagued by offensive woes. In their losses they average 14 points and it centers around Stroud who are under constant pressure.

Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times, overshadowing a Houston rushing attack that amassed 187 yards. The Texans’ offensive struggles kept the Jets — who didn’t score a touchdown until the early third quarter — alive. But Rodgers ended up throwing three touchdown passes in the second half while the Texans’ offense was held to a paltry six points.

The Texans are scoring just 22.3 points per game, allowing teams to hang around. On Thursday, it cost them a game they went into with considerable momentum.

Disturbing trend: The injuries to the Texans starters are piling up. In this game alone, Houston lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), left guard Kenyon Green (shoulder) for periods of the game. Even Stroud was confused. Tunsil, Stroud and Anderson eventually returned to the game, but Green did not. The Texans were already without their wideout duo of Nico Collins (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (knee), along with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin).

Pivotal Game: Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was called for questionable illegal contact on fourth down on the first play of the fourth quarter, nullifying a Rodgers incompletion that would have turned the ball over to Houston on downs. A few plays later, Rodgers threw a touchdown pass that Wilson caught with one hand to put the Jets up 14-10.

Silver Lining: The Texans will have a mini-bye to get healthy for their Week 10 game against the 6-1 Lions. It will be a tough matchup, but at least the Texans will be healthier with Collins, Al-Shaair and Ward’s possible return.

Most Surprising Performance: Tank Dell finished with six catches for 126 yards. This was the first 100-yard game he has had since Week 11 in 2023. Dell’s performance was needed with wideouts Collins and Diggs on the sidelines. But the Texans couldn’t turn it into more points. — DJ Bien-Aime

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