EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In an exciting Thursday night matchup, Garrett Wilson showcased his remarkable talent with a spectacular one-handed, 26-yard touchdown catch early in the final quarter, leading the New York Jets to a 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans, thereby ending their five-game losing streak.
Aaron Rodgers had an impressive performance, throwing three touchdown passes, including another sensational one-handed grab by Wilson, and a 37-yard touchdown connection with newly acquired Davante Adams. This win marked the first victory for the Jets (3-6) under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, snapping a losing streak that spanned four games.
Trailing 10-7, the Jets faced a daunting third-and-19 from the Texans’ 26-yard line. Rodgers lofted a pass toward Wilson in the end zone. The talented wide receiver leaped high into the air, reaching up with his right hand while spread-eagling in the air—evoking images of the iconic Michael Jordan “Jumpman” logo.
Initially ruled an incomplete pass, the play was reviewed, and video evidence confirmed that Wilson’s shin had indeed touched down in the end zone, leading to a touchdown and giving the Jets a 14-10 lead with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. The electrifying touchdown sent the MetLife Stadium crowd into a frenzy, as fans had been awaiting a moment like this throughout the matchup.
This remarkable catch by Wilson conjured memories of Odell Beckham Jr.’s legendary one-handed grab against the Dallas Cowboys back in 2014. It was a much-needed boost for the Jets, coming after a frustrating moment earlier when rookie Malachi Corley was denied a touchdown due to a premature celebration. Corley had sprinted down the sideline for what appeared to be a touchdown; however, he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. A video review confirmed that the ball had been released before he scored, turning the play into an 18-yard run followed by a fumble, resulting in a touchback and a turnover for the Jets.
Rodgers completed 22 of 32 passes for a total of 211 yards. His touchdown pass to Adams, who had been cleared to play after being evaluated for a potential head injury, extended the Jets’ lead to 21-10 late in the game. This catch marked Adams’ first touchdown since joining the team from Las Vegas.
C.J. Stroud, playing for the Texans (6-3), struggled, completing only 11 of 30 passes for 191 yards, while the team played without injured receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins. The Texans are set for a series of prime-time games, with a Sunday night match against Detroit next on November 10, followed by a notable Monday night encounter with Dallas on November 18.
The Jets’ defense held strong despite Fairbairn’s earlier missed opportunities, including two missed field goals. He did manage a 43-yard attempt that briefly brought Houston within a point; however, an unnecessary roughness call gave them another chance, but they could not capitalize on it. Fairbairn’s second attempt from 27 yards was blocked by the left upright, preventing the Texans from reclaiming the lead.
The Texans took the lead first, with Joe Mixon scoring on a 3-yard rush, culminating a 98-yard drive with 3:21 left in the second quarter. Stroud faced challenges in the first half; he was injured during a sack, and not long after, Fairbairn missed a long attempt.
The Jets tied the game with a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half, with Rodgers hitting Wilson for a 21-yard score. An extra point attempt by Riley Patterson deflected in, giving the Jets their much-needed momentum. Fairbairn would later redeem himself with a 54-yard field goal to push the Texans back into the lead at 10-7.
Rodgers had a slow start, completing just seven of 14 passes for only 32 yards in the first half—his lowest total in a half throughout his career with 10 or more attempts. The Jets will visit the Arizona Cardinals on November 10, while the Texans prepare to host the Detroit Lions that same day.
Injuries also played a role in the game, as Texans’ left guard Kenyon Green was sidelined with a shoulder injury after halftime. The Jets faced their own injury concerns, losing left guard John Simpson due to a groin injury, along with backup offensive lineman Jake Hanson, who exited the game with a hamstring issue.