Most New York Jets fans were focused on Sam Darnold’s debut, but Teddy Bridgewater impressed in two drives of his own on Friday night.
Teddy Bridgewater’s New York Jets debut has given the team a lot to think about, as the veteran seeking a return to glory impressed in his green arrival.
After watching incumbent starter Josh McCown handle the opening drive, Bridgewater took two turns and led the team to 10 points in their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night at MetLife Stadium.
Bridgewater’s day began at the Atlanta 47-yard line, courtesy of an Andre Roberts punt return. Quickly facing a fourth down and three yards to go at the Falcons’ 40, Bridgewater found Jermaine Kearse to keep the drive alive.
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Six plays later, Bridgewater created his first unofficial Jets touchdown, hooking up with fellow veteran newcomer Isaiah Crowell for a 16-yard score to give the Jets the first points of the game.
Crow's got a nose for the end zone. #ATLvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/fdbySZys4U
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 10, 2018
Both of Bridgewater’s drives lasted 10 plays each. The first drive went 47 yards, while he completed a 61-yard drive to earn three more points. Though it only mustered a field goal by Taylor Bertolet, Bridgewater completed two passes of over 20 yards, first finding Charles Johnson for 23 yards and later Neal Sterling for 21.
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In his two drives, Bridgewater, whose last official start came in January 2016’s playoffs with Minnesota, went 7-for-8 for 85 yards and the Crowell score. He is looking to return to NFL action after missing the entirety of 2016 after suffering a non-contact knee injury in training camp. By the time he fully recovered last season, the Vikings were en route to an NFC North title with Case Keenum under center. The Vikings, who drafted Bridgewater with the final pick of the 2014 draft’s first round, declined his fifth-year option, leading him to a one-year deal with the Jets.
The Jets led the Falcons 17-0 at the half.
