Jeff Ulbrich is proud of his first win as Jets interim head coach.

That pride might have been hard to feel if the Jets had played their final 30 minutes the same way they played their first 30. Aaron Rodgers had the lowest first-half passing total of his illustrious 20-year career (per with at least 10 passes) from 32 yards on 7-of-14 passing as some of his early throws were off the line, some catchable balls were dropped, and penalties and injuries continued to plague the Green and Whites and their fans.

When rookie third-round WR Malachi Corley got his first big pro chance on a 19-yard touchdown pass from the end of the circle, he let the ball go before breaking the goal line plane, turning a touchdown and a 7-0 Jets lead into a touchback and a Houston field goal. 20, Ulbrich’s reaction was typical.

“I was definitely upset and angry at the same time, to be honest,” he said of the rookie mistake. What did he tell his freshman? “First of all, you can’t do this. Secondly, you owe us.”

It’s highly likely the Jets will give their new coach, their fans, and themselves another missed opportunity as the Texans took a 7-0 lead, had a 201-69 yardage advantage and a crushing 20:33-9 margin in time of possession. :27. locker rooms at halftime.

But the Jets, slow as they were, were far from giving up. At halftime, Ulbrich said, “It was a collective agreement. Everyone the players and coaches said, everyone admitted there was more for us, we weren’t playing to our abilities. And we went out and played Jets football.” in the second half.”

The only thing going well in the first half was the defensive pressure on productive sophomore QB C.J. Stroud. He did lead a 14-play, 98-yard touchdown march that gave the visitors a 7-0 lead late in the second quarter. But Stroud, as in last year’s Texans-Jets game at MetLife, was under constant pressure. And while he was without his best receivers in injured Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, he continued to shoot.

But he also continued to find scope for MetLife. He was sacked four times in the first half and eight times during the night. DL Quinnen Williams, who has been heating up his game like mulled wine the past few weeks, led the way for his second straight game with 1.5 sacks and 4 QB hits. LB Jamien Sherwood, who continues to play for injured defensive leader C.J. Mosley, also had two sacks. DL Michael Clemson also had two sacks. DJ Reed got his first sack in six seasons on an early corner blitz, Solomon Thomas had another sack after briefly leaving with an injury.