Ben Collins
BBC Sport at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Zach Wilson showed why the New York Jets selected him with the second pick of the draft in last week's overtime win over Tennessee.

And just when the long-suffering Jets fans dare to dream about a bright new era, they endure a first half like that.

Can the rookie repeat last week's second-half heroics? They could sure use a bit of magic from the youngster dubbed the 'Mormon Mahomes'.

Field goal - and half-timepublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 10 October 2021

15:57 BST 10 October 2021

New York Jets 3-20 Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta re-establish their 17-point cushion with the final play of the half.

Kyle Pitts hauls in a pass from Matt Ryan but is short of a first down so Atlanta have to settle for a 52-yard field goal which Younghoe Koo makes look routine.

The Falcons have built an unwanted reputation as a side who throw away leads in the second half - but surely even they can't mess this one up now?

Matt Ryan gets away with a loose pass to the sidelines that is almost intercepted but the Jets are not helping themselves - a blatant tug on Kyle Pitts' jersey on the next play gives Atlanta a pass interference penalty and first down.

Just over 40 seconds remaining in the half, with Atlanta on the Jets' 40-yard line.

The Jets just cannot stop this Falcons offense.

Christian Blake has all the time and space in the world to haul in a Matt Ryan pass, then Mike Davis takes them over halfway with a nice couple of runs.

Field goal - Jetspublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 10 October 2021

15:44 BST 10 October 2021

New York Jets 3-17 Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta bring pressure on second down and this time Zach Wilson's throw hits one of his offensive linemen in the back.

A pass to Corey Davis is successful on third down but the Jets are still seven yards short of a new set of downs so on comes Matt Ammendola to kick the routine field goal and get New York on the board.

Ball's back with Atlanta, though - who have more than two minutes and two time-outs to increase their lead.

Terrible pass from Zach Wilson.

He has a receiver free for a screen pass that would have gained a few yards at least but just throws it at his feet. Big chance missed there. Three minutes of the half remaining - the Jets surely need a touchdown here: big difference between 3-17 and 7-17.

Zach Wilson is beginning to motor now.

A nice pass to Jamison Crowder on third down and nine - and the Jets are inside the Falcons' 30.

And now a Michael Carter run gets them into the redzone, around the 18-yard line.

Another Jets conversion on third down as running back Ty Johnson claims the couple of yards needed.

Third down and nine now, though, after a short pass and an incompletion. Too far out for the field goal as well probably.

Are things starting to go the Jets' way? They need them to.

It looks as if New York are going to fail on third down again as Zach Wilson sails a pass over his intended receiver Corey Davis.

But there's a flag elsewhere for pass interference against Falcons defender Duron Harmon and the Jets get a reprieve - and another first down.

They're at midfield now - and former Falcons running-back Tevin Coleman barrels them a few yards into Atlanta territory.

A nice, if ironic, ovation, from the Tottenham crowd as the Jets claim their maiden first down of the game more than 20 minutes in, Zach Wilson finding Corey Davis for a nice gain.

Nice toe-tap catch on the sidelines from Lee Smith as Atlanta start their latest possession well in Jets territory.

But wait, now the Falcons have turned it over!

Touchdown scorer Hayden Hurst goes from hero to villain, although the turnover owes more to a heads-up play from CJ Mosley, than any real error from the Atlanta man.

He uses his helmet to dislodge the ball from Hurst's grasp and the Jets recover.

Not sure if nerves are playing a part here with rookie Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.

Still no first down for New York - he buries a pass into the ground on the first play then hauls one long for Corey Davis on second down but it's picked off by Jaylinn Hawkins.

That's Wilson's ninth interception of his short NFL career, just five games in. He was pushing the envelope there, clearly frustrated at the Jets' lack of offense thus far today.

What a catch - Kyle Pitts hauls in a Matt Ryan pass out wide with one hand on third down.

Sensational. The pass was fairly low too, he had to reach out and downwards to grasp the ball to his body.

Things get even worse for the Jets as defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd clatters into Ryan's legs after the throw, drawing a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer.

Image source, Reuters

After successive three-and-outs, the Jets need to contain the Falcons' drive here just to stay in this one.

But the second quarter has not begun well for New York - Matt Ryan floats a pass over the middle for Cordarrelle Patterson for an Atlanta first down.

Patterson squeezes a few yards with a run the next play and the Falcons are approaching midfield. Third down and short now, though...

You might want to bookmark this, as this is the first of what should be plenty of NFL touchdowns for Kyle Pitts.

The Jets have to punt it away and not only have they gone this first quarter without a point, they're without a point in ANY first quarter of their first five games of the season now.

They've also not thrown for one single passing yard in those five first quarters. Talk about slow starters.

Image source, Getty Images

Tevin Coleman runs back the kick to the 27-yard line and this is now a big drive for the Jets who are already in a hole even towards the end of the first quarter.

There is, however, no room as third down quickly comes up...