The New York Jets quarterback trio leads the way, 17-0 (Highlights)

08/10/2018

New York Jets Sam Darnold — (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Solid offensive play, particularly from two hyped new QB arrivals and a shutout defensive effort gave the New York Jets a preseason win.

The New York Jets enjoyed strong quarterback play and a shutdown defensive effort on Friday night, earning a 17-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons in their 2018 preseason opener at MetLife Stadium.

While Jets starting thrower Josh McCown’s lone drive was uneventful, limited to a single four-yard pass, Teddy Bridgewater led the Jets to 10 points on two drives, each lasting 10 plays. The first went for 47 yards and ended with a Bridgewater touchdown pass to Isaiah Crowell from 16 yards out.

In his first drive with the Jets, Teddy Bridgewater finds Isaiah Crowell for the TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/i9gcx1oyET

— FlurrySports (@FlurrySports) August 10, 2018

Though lasting 61 yards, the next drive was limited to a Taylor Bertolet field goal from 45 yards out. Bridgewater did have two completions of over 20 yards, ending the day with a 7-for-8, 85-yard line, in addition to the Crowell score.

https://twitter.com/YahooSportsNFL/status/1028083574187032576

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Not to be outdone, highly heralded rookie Sam Darnold entered the game in the second quarter and posted decent numbers in his first unofficial NFL action. With a two-minute situation to end the first half, Darnold skillfully marched the Jets down the field to the tune of a 10-play, 64-yard drive that concluded with a 14-yard scoring pass to Charles Johnson.

Here's the Darnold TD. #Jets pic.twitter.com/wo5osKX5CJ

— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 11, 2018

Darnold would end the day with 96 yards on 13-of-18 passing, playing the remainder of the game. The Jets would end the day with 178 total passing yards from their trio.

On defense, the Jets (1-0) limited the Falcons (0-1) to 253 yards and 11 first downs. Linebacker Dylan Donahue and defensive tackle Mike Pennel had a sack each. They also forced a turnover when linebacker Neville Hewitt, who also led the team with eight tackles, intercepted a tipped Kurt Benkert pass in the fourth quarter.