Sunday Will Reveal If Wilson Has A Future With New York Jets

Zach Wilson does not have to lead the New York Jets to victory on Sunday afternoon against the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles to have a successful game. Wilson just can't be the obvious reason that Gang Green loses.

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Even prior to the season, with Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers scheduled to be behind center for New York, the Jets did not expect to beat the Eagles. Could it happen? Definitely. It still can but this was not a game that head coach Robert Saleh, GM Joe Douglas or anyone else around the team circled as a win.

The Philadelphia Eagles come to MetLife on Sunday with a perfect 5-0 record. Yes, All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts and his arsenal of offensive weapons will certainly be a handful for Robert Saleh's stout defense but it will be the Eagles' defense that may reveal the most out of this match-up. Led by Jalen Carter, Nicholas Morrow and Haason Reddick, Philadelphia's defense has racked up 15 sacks and 12 forced fumbles, with six resulting in turnovers. Those are worrisome numbers when the next quarterback they face is Zach Wilson.

How the Saleh and offensive coordinator Nate Hackett handle #2, will be the key. Wilson has to show that the Jets do not have to go into an ultra conservative game plan when they face defenses like Philadelphia. The Eagles only have 2 interceptions this year and have injuries in their defensive backfield. There is little doubt that New York will struggle running the ball, if they can't pass, you might as well end the game before it starts.

On Sunday, Wilson has to show the Jets (and their fans) that he can stand in the pocket under pressure and quickly release accurate passes. The Jets have to be able to utilize their talented receiving corp to move the football and get first downs. That, in-turn, will open some running lanes for running back Breece Hall.

An entire game of "three and out's" for the Jets offense will not cut it. Again, Wilson doesn't have to win the game but he has to prove, for the third game in a row, that he can compete at the NFL level. Zach Wilson and Robert Saleh did not compete against the New England Patriots and barely against the Cowboys. If Wilson and the Jets can compete with the Eagles on Sunday, maybe New York's AFC team will at least have competent back-up QB, if-and-when Aaron Rodgers returns.