3 Takeaways | Jets Defense Shines with 8 Sacks in Win Over Texans
The New York Jets (3-6) defeated the Houston Texans (6-3) with a 21-13 victory at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. Here are the top takeaways from the game.
#### Defense Dominates
The Jets’ defense, which entered the game ranked 6th in both QB pressure rate (38.3%) and sacks (23), was relentless against Texans QB C.J. Stroud, bringing him down 8 times—their first 8-sack game since 2013. Defensive standouts included Micheal Clemons and Jamien Sherwood with 2 sacks each, Quinnen Williams with 1.5, Solomon Thomas and D.J. Reed with 1 each, and Haason Reddick with a half-sack, marking his first for the Jets.
Reddick, in only his second game back after a holdout, impressed with 8 pressures on 32 pass rushes, the second-highest by a Jets player this season. “He’s done a great job,” said DT Javon Kinlaw. “He’s a fantastic teammate and a force on the field.”
Will McDonald IV, second in the NFL with 8 sacks this season, didn’t get a sack but made an impact with a season-high 9 pressures on 33 rushes, achieving a 20% pressure rate for the sixth game this season, the most in the NFL.
#### Changes on the Offensive Line
The Jets’ offensive line had to adapt after injuries struck midgame. Right guard Jake Hanson, filling in for Alijah Vera-Tucker, left with a hamstring injury in the second quarter, allowing rookie Olu Fashanu—drafted 11th overall and previously a tackle at Penn State—to step in. Fashanu credited teammates like center Joe Tippmann and tackle Morgan Moses for helping him adjust to the new position.
Left guard John Simpson also exited with a groin injury, prompting Max Mitchell to replace him. Though Mitchell had not previously played guard, he approached the game ready for any role.
#### First-Half Miscues
The Jets’ offense struggled with some early mistakes that hindered their momentum. WR Davante Adams, who finished with 91 receiving yards and a touchdown, had an opportunity on the game’s first play, but QB Aaron Rodgers’ throw went out of bounds. Running back Breece Hall also dropped a pass on the next play, leading to a third-and-long they couldn’t convert. Later, rookie Malachi Corley lost a touchdown opportunity when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
“Definitely frustrated and angry,” said interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline error. However, he also saw it as a learning moment for Corley: “He won’t make that mistake again.”
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