The New York Jets face a halftime deficit, but Josh Johnson looks strong
After two quarters of play, the Philadelphia Eagles lead the New York Jets 21-10 in the respective preseason finale for each team. The game’s opening kickoff was delayed by a half-hour due to thunderstorms in the North Jersey area.
Jets Leaders
- PASSING: Josh Johnson: 7-of-8, 73 yards, 1 TD
- RUSHING: Josh Adams: 4 carries, 31 yards
- RECEIVING: Vyncint Smith: 2 receptions, 32 yards
Eagles Leaders
- PASSING: Joe Flacco: 13-of-16, 188 yards, 2 TD
- RUSHING: Kenneth Gainwell: 5 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD
- RECEIVING: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside: 2 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD
LET’S GO BOYS pic.twitter.com/kXb1Sfgz0R
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 27, 2021
Just Joshin’
After the delay, the Jets opted to hold their starters, denying Zach Wilson one last summer showcase. But the Jets might’ve finally gained some clarity on their backup quarterback situation through Josh Johnson’s debut in green.
The well-traveled Johnson took his first exhibition snaps of the summer. It’s perhaps no surprise that he was able to establish himself as the favorite in the Jets’ backup quarterback race, as he’s the only thrower in the room with regular-season experience in the NFL.
Johnson was nearly perfect, completing all but one of his eight attempts and finding Lawrence Cager for a two-yard passing score on fourth and goal on his first drive. Johnson’s scoring drives (the latter producing a Matt Ammendola field goal) took up over 16 minutes of game time, allowing the Jets to win the time of possession battle by a sizable margin.
TOUCHDOWN JETS! Let's go @lawrencecager3 ‼️
📺 WCBS/nyjets.com/Jets app pic.twitter.com/NZIDpwupI8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2021
Yessir @lawrencecager3 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Z4kXXarGjM
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2021
Can’t Defend This Defense
The Jets’ defense once again struggled in the first half, allowing Philadelphia’s reserves to score on three of their four drives, totaling 221 yards.
Two particularly brutal scores came in long-form style, as touchdowns from Boston Scott and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside put up a combined 81 yards from ex-Jets backup Joe Flacco. The latter was a first-half dagger, scored with five seconds left in the half against rookie Isaiah Dunn.
https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1431408265632653312
.@KENNETHGAINWEL gets to the paint!#PHIvsNYJ | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: NBC10 pic.twitter.com/mz9rTrhpKM
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2021
What a way to close out the half!#PHIvsNYJ | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: NBC10 pic.twitter.com/HQPF1iaJzA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2021
A rare bright spot came from one of the lingering regular seasons, as Foley Fatukasi earned a sack and forced fumble from Flacco.
FOLEYYYYYYYY
📺 WCBS/nyjets.com/Jets app pic.twitter.com/ndOb2w8KBD
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2021
One Last Chance
Several fringe representatives made names for themselves in one last chance to publicly make a roster.
Josh Adams put up 31 yards on a quartet of carries on the Jets’ latter scoring drive while J.T. Hassell earned his second sack of the preseason after failing to prevent Scott from scoring on the Eagles’ first possession.
Linebackers Hamsah Nasirildeen and Jamien Sherwood united for six tackles as they prepare to step in for Jarrad Davis over the opening weeks of the season. However, Sherwood has had a few bad missed tackles, including one that led to Scott’s touchdown.
.@Head8cke to @vyncintsmith and we're movin'
📺 WCBS/nyjets.com/Jets app pic.twitter.com/68LR6fILyj
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2021
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
