Forgive the superlatives, but the first half of last night's game was right up there with some of the worst football I've ever seen (and I was around for replacement players). Especially the Jets, who came up with 69 total yards; there were more penalty yards before halftime. But they were a lot better after the break.
The second half was all Jets, presumably resulting in the numerous fans wearing paper bags on their heads quietly removing them. (Side note: last night was Halloween. Were there any fans in costume? If there were, Amazon Prime producers didn't seem to have any interest in showing them. Typically one of the best things about Halloween week football (Titans cheerleaders have provided the most great costumes over the years), but not something that was considered this year, for some reason. Disappointing.) New York is not dead in the AFC playoff picture just yet.
QUARTERBACKS
It was a brutal game for C.J. Stroud., who was under heavy pressure throughout, taking 8 sacks on just 30 pass attempts (and it seemed like more). He lost guard Kenyon Green during the game (whose backup is Kendrick Green, no relation) and was basically running for his life back there. He ran 8 times for 59 yards, and these weren't designed runs; they were all collapsed pocket types of scrambles. Not having two of his top 3 receivers was clearly an issue. After halftime he was 4 of 16 for 76 yards, 50 of which came on one play. He took sacks on three third downs in field goal range, contributing to one longer miss. The Texans desperately hope to have Nico Collins back for their next game.
Aaron Rodgers had a first half pretty similar to Stroud's second half. completing 7 of 14 for 32 yards. Just 2 sacks, which also seemed like more. At one point he missed an open Davante Adams, another time Adams wasn't looking for a ball that hit him in the legs. Just an ugly half of football, which gave us lots of shots of bag-wearing fans. It looked like Houston would win the game about 20-0.
But credit to Rodgers for hanging in there and delivering some top-notch throws after that. Second half, 15 of 18 for 179 yards and 3 TDs. Hard to say exactly what changed (his receivers certainly gave him more help, which we'll get to), but that was the Rodgers we saw against the Patriots on the previous Thursday night game.
RUNNING BACKS
Joe Mixon is having a great season. He's gone over 100 rushing yards in all five of his healthy games, with 7 touchdowns in those contests. He looked like he could have gone for 200 yards last night, with several runs wiped out by penalties. Kind of looks bad that he only got 7 carries after halftime, but the Jets did have the ball for a lot of that. Mixon looked really good; he was doing his part. Actually seems he was held back by the Bengals in a lot of his time there.
Breece Hall was fine, though you'd like him a little more involved in the passing game (2 catches), and it'd be nice if he'd score (1 TD in his last six games). That's despite Braelon Allen barely playing. People who drafted Hall and Bijan Robinson (and McCaffrey, natch) at the top of drafts wish they'd selected Chase or Jefferson.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Lots to unpack here. First, big game for Garrett Wilson, the kind that everyone who drafted him early was hoping for. Two one-handed touchdown grabs, one helped by a bad gamble by a defensive back and the other requiring a replay reversal that I'm still a little unsure of. Did they really have conclusive video evidence that his shin hit the ground in-bounds -- no white line being touched -- before his knee (the human knee is very close to the shin and all). I mean, an amazing grab either way, just seemed there was a lot of judgment going into that reversal. But Wilson had a fantastic game, and you're happy if you've stuck with him through some quiet ones.
Davante Adams not on the same page with Rodgers in the first half, but he was late, with a nice sideline grab and a sweet 37-yard touchdown to ice the game. If the offensive line can protect Rodgers, these guys are going to have a lot of really nice games in the second half of the season. Schedule: Cardinals, Colts, bye, Seahawks, Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams over the next seven weeks.
With Allen Lazard on IR, the Jets did not use a third receiver. One catch for Mike Williams, despite playing almost three quarters of the snaps. Rodgers won't be looking for him, but New York might not be trading him, unfortunately. Third-rounder Malachi Corley had just his second offensive touch, and it's painful to discuss. He took an endaround for an 18-yard touchdown early on, except he joined the litany of young players inexplicably dropping the ball before crossing the goal line. Most of us older fans recall DeSean Jackson doing this back in the day, but it's happened several other times over the years. (Another time this season, which I'm spacing right now.) The announcers were as befuddled as I was. What's the rush to drop the ball? This would have been Corley's first NFL touchdown, a moment of accomplishment and joy for a young player who by all accounts has struggled. How on earth do you toss that ball to the ground anywhere but with end zone on all four sides of you? It's just nuts.
Tank Dell had a nice game, the only Texans receiver who Stroud had any connection with. Looked like a legit No. 1 guy. Robert Woods had a 32-yard catch that probably would have been overturned if the Jets had been quick enough to challenge it. It’s over. Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie didn't catch any of the 5 passes sent their way. Presumably they weren't getting open. A rough night for Texans receivers not named Dell, who was the entire passing game. Disappointing for those of us who had hopes for Metchie as a second-rounder (even while injured) coming out of Alabama. Has not made anything of his opportunities yet.
TIGHT ENDS
Dalton Schultz was the true No. 2, not that it did Houston much good (3 for 21 on 6 targets). Involvement was nice, at least. Tyler Conklin is clearly going to be an occasional factor for the Jets (there was a missed connection in the end zone) but not foremost in Rodgers' mind.
MISCELLANEOUS
So the Jets remain alive in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans are going to win the AFC South by default, I guess unless Joe Flacco can lift the Colts to the playoffs, which is possible. But the Colts have a terrible defense and the Jaguars and Titans are just down bad, so Houston going 10-7 will probably be good enough.
Still kind of bummed about the lack of Halloween content from the broadcast. Maybe next year.