The Jets are turning back to Zach Wilson.
Just three games — and two starts — after he was benched, Wilson will start Sunday’s game against the Texans at MetLife Stadium, replacing Tim Boyle, who was released, and getting another chance to improve from a third benching across the past two seasons.
Gang Green’s defense, though, will have a difficult challenge when trying to stop rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the NFL’s leader with 3,540 passing yards and an MVP candidate.
Houston’s wide receiver depth took a hit last week when Tank Dell sustained a season-ending injury, and tight end Dalton Schultz was ruled out for Sunday’s game, too.
But around Stroud, the Texans still have a group of promising young wideouts in Nico Collins and Noah Brown — in addition to other established skill-position players such as Robert Woods and Devin Singletary.
They’ve won four of their past five games and sit one game behind the AFC South-leading Jaguars, while the Jets have lost five consecutive games, slipped out of postseason contention and haven’t won since Week 8 against the Giants.
Follow The Post’s live updates from Jets vs. Texans.
“What are you most proud about what you did today?’’ That was a question posed to Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson in the aftermath of the Jets’ eye-opening dominant 30-6 upset rout of the Texans on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. “Our defense,’’ Johnson said. “Our defense,’’ Johnson repeated. “That’s it. That’s what I’m most proud of. That’s just how we play defense.’’ Every bit of it. Zach Wilson’s ability to guide the Jets’ offense to 30 points in the second half prompted Robert Saleh to label it as “probably” the best game of his three-year professional career. There was the success with the off-schedule plays. The timing. The rhythm, too. Wilson finished with 301 passing yards and two touchdowns, and it was the third time in his career that he’s topped 300 yards. "He made a lot of things happen that weren't there... I thought he was oustanding today."Jets shut down CJ Stroud as defense delivers complete dominance
By Mark Cannizzaro READ MORE
Robert Saleh: Texans win was 'probably' best game of Zach Wilson's career
By Andrew Crane
Robert Saleh believes that Zach Wilson played the best game of his career today: pic.twitter.com/5A6wIOp9WI
Yes. It was supposed to be more than this. It was supposed to be better than this. It is the second week in December and the Jets were supposed to be playing for something other than lovely parting gifts. They were supposed to be fighting for playoff position, maybe jockeying for the top of the AFC East.
News bulletin: they are doing neither.
So perhaps it’s difficult to glean too many feel-good items away from the Jets’ most feel-good game of the year, a 30-6 schooling of the Texans which may have done some serious harm to Houston’s playoff hopes. The Jets had higher ambitions than playing the role of spoiler.
But spoilers they are.
And spoilers they were.
Zach Wilson’s biggest fan is commemorating his massive Jets victory.
Moments after the Jets sealed an upset win over the Texans on Sunday in Wilson’s return as the starting quarterback, his girlfriend, Nicolette Dellanno, posted a supportive message on her Instagram Story.
“Always proud of you 2,” Dellanno wrote alongside a snapshot from MetLife Stadium as green fireworks flared in the distance.
In his first game back since Nov. 19, Wilson completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-6 victory.
Grading the Jets’ 30-6 win over the Texans on Sunday:
Where has this been?
The offense exploded in the second half on Sunday, scoring 30 points after going scoreless in the first half.
The Jets put up 347 total yards and went 6 of 15 on third down (40 percent).
QB Zach Wilson (27 of 36, 301 yards, 2 TDs, 1 fumble, 117.9 QB rating) played the best game of his career and quieted his critics for at least one week. RB Breece Hall (10 rushes, 40 yards, 8 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD) was a weapon for Wilson all day.
A reluctant Zach Wilson apparently is an effective Zach Wilson.
The Jets quarterback, who reportedly was reluctant to take back the starting job this week, led the Jets to a surprising 30-6 victory over the Texans on a rainy Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Wilson played a strong game outside of a third-quarter fumble. He looked decisive and elusive and completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.
The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Jets and moves their record to 5-8 with four games left in the season.
The Jets offense scored three touchdowns for the first time all season.
Zach Wilson led the Jets to victory as they finished off the Texans, 30-6, to improve to 5-8.
Wilson had 301 yards and two touchdown passes.
The Jets keep turning the Texans' turnovers on downs into field goals, with Greg Zuerlein connecting from 44 yards to give the Jets a 30-6 lead with 1:08 remaining.
The Jets, again, couldn't manage positive yardage on their latest drive, but Greg Zuerlein connected on a 55-yard field goal to increase their lead to 27-6 with 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
C.J. Stroud was down on the field after getting hit by a cluster of Jets players on a second down midway through the fourth quarter. He eventually sat up, with trainers surrounding him, and walked slowly off the field.
Davis Mills, the Texans' backup quarter, has entered the game.
For once, the Jets haven’t relied on Greg Zuerlein for all of their points, but when they needed him for a field goal midway through the fourth quarter, he connected from 51 yards.
The Texans had turned it over on downs to end their previous possession, though the Jets managed to lose a yard and set up the lengthy attempt from Zuerlein. They lead, 24-6, with 6:51 left.
Right tackle Max Mitchell, starting again for the Jets with Carter Warren out, is questionable to return with a shoulder injury, according to the team.
Billy Turner has replaced him at right tackle.
