The Facts: The Jets are entrusting their fading playoff hopes to Wilson, who will be the starting quarterback Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Diehards Line: Coach Robert Saleh, who announced the decision Tuesday, made it sound like he didn't have much of a choice. Mike White, who fractured ribs nine days ago and sat out Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions, wasn't cleared by doctors, according to Saleh. The Jets (7-7) have lost three straight. Wilson, who returned from a three-game benching to face Detroit, was up and down in that game. Overall, Wilson is 5-3 as the starter. In a wild quarterback year, the Jets also have started Joe Flacco (1-2) and White (1-2). When he benched Wilson on Nov. 23, Saleh said his intent was to get Wilson back in the lineup before the end of the season -- but not like this. White changed the plan by playing well and galvanizing the team, and there's a good chance he would've remained the starter for as long as the Jets stayed in contention. The injury obviously changed that.