Yet again, the first team defense of the New York Jets struggled mightily. In Week 2, however, one quarterback separated himself.
- New York Jets 18 (1-1)
- Washington Redskins 22 (1-1)
- NFL, Preseason Week 2, Final
- Fedex Field, Landover, MD
Two familiar themes are building for Todd Bowles’s New York Jets, and one isn’t pretty. His first-team defense continues to get smacked around.
Just one week after allowing Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars do whatever they wanted, Colt McCoy and the Washington Redskins took the opening kickoff of Friday night’s game and promptly drove nine-plus minutes.
The only reason this painstaking drive didn’t end in points for the Skins was because all-pro corner Darrelle Revis peeled off his man and picked off his first pass of 2016:
Darrelle Revis puts an end to a ridiculous 9+ minute opening drive…#NYJ #NYJvsWAS pic.twitter.com/uHYQi3gug1
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 19, 2016
All told, Bowles’s defense continued its slopping tackling mixed with a porous pass rush and shaky pass coverage. The only man who showed up on the first-team unit was Leonard Williams who bull-rushed his way for an impressive sack early in the second quarter:
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the first-team offense didn’t do much, either.
Fitz only saw two possessions in going 4-of-9 for 35 yards. Brandon Marshall was shut out, mainly because of his one glaring drop that looked as if he heard footsteps coming his way.
Geno Smith didn’t fare any better. His final line consisted of 6-of-13 for 47 yards and one terrible interception.
The other familiar theme for these Jets has been their depth cleaning up the mess left for the first-team.
Tonight, however, unlike last week, The Jets were unable to hold a late lead. Rookie Juston Burris was beaten by a spectacular catch by Kendal Thompson.
But hey, this is preseason, and quality of play is more important than the final score. Tonight, also unlike last week, one QB did separate himself from the pack for that backup quarterback position.
Second-year Baylor product Bryce Petty was stellar. If not for Thompson’s miracle catch with 29-seconds to go, Petty would be the top reason for the victory. He threw for 242 yards and 2 TD on 16-of-26 passing.
The kid was composed and confident all night. This strike to tight-end Zach Sudfeld on a post that got the Jets offense on the board was perfect evidence of just that:
A strike from Petty to Sudfeld on the post. Basic four man rush with one edge getting to the QB. #NYJ #NYJvsWAS pic.twitter.com/uyF5sEVgVW
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 20, 2016
In the fourth-quarter he found rookie Robbie Anderson for what looked like, at the time, the game winner with 3:57 remaining:
Identified single coverage. Petty finds Anderson. #NYJ take the lead. Kid QB playing with confidence. #NYJvsWAS pic.twitter.com/xfagUyZ2CV
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 20, 2016
Anderson was the top weapon on the night finishing with six receptions for 131 yards and a score. Petty, though, was the story. It will also continue to be the story all week as he’s seemingly squaring off against Geno for that all important backup spot.
Christian Hackenberg did not play.
The Skins dominated the game in the first half, while Petty and the Jets flipped it in the second. This has now become an unfortunate pattern for Bowles’s squad.
Next up for Gang Green will be the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium next Saturday night.
