Mo Wilk On WFAN: Performance Against Steelers Was A Long Time Coming
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Last week was just a crazy week for the Jets.
They were abused on the airwaves for their eight-game losing streak and up in the skies by overzealous fans who paid for banner fly-bys and billboards calling for the firing of general manager John Idzik.
Then the Jets (2-8) played the Pittsburgh Steelers and for at least a little while all the angst of this disappointing season was put on the back burner as Rex Ryan's players pulled off a surprising 20-13 win over a team that was as hot as any in the NFL.
Muhammad Wilkerson was at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and he told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Tuesday that an effort like that was long overdue.
"We were just dialed in. The game plan was cut back a bit with the calls and we just executed," Wilkerson said.
The big fear coming into the game from a fan standpoint beyond facing a team that Jets were expected to lose to, was the probability of the stands being filled with more black and gold than green and white. And while there were a lot of Steelers fans in MetLife they mostly sat on their hands because the Jets controlled the game throughout.
"We noticed it," Wilkerson said, referring to the thousands of Pittsburgh fans in attendance. "Pregame, they were coming out. We heard this big roar with the Steelers coming out. Calvin Pace talked about how he was upset there were more Steelers fans out there. I mean, everybody knew it. But at the end of the day the game is played on the field, not up in the stands."
The Jets went into the game with the fewest forced turnovers in the NFL, but walked away with four. Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, who started in place of rookie Calvin Pryor, record two interceptions, to go along with his 10 tackles and a sack. The performance was stunning and seemingly came out of nowhere, but Wilkerson said he was the least surprised person in the building.
"We went to school together, so his performance is not new to me," Wilkerson said, referring to his time at Temple. "That's just part of the business. When your call is up, he got the message that he was starting this week and he prepared like he was supposed to. He got his time to play and he showed that he's a capable player."
So while it would likely take a miracle for the Jets to make the playoffs, they at least get to head into their Week 11 bye with their heads held high.
"We are going to enjoy this time off, glad we got a win," Wilkerson said, adding when asked if the Jets are capable of going on a second-half run, "We're not going to make any expectations. We're just going to take it one game at a time."
To hear Wilkerson's complete interview with Joe & Evan, please click on the audio link below.
Muhammad Wilkerson
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