The NY Jets have started yet another game poorly
- New York Jets 0 (0-2)
- Denver Broncos 17 (2-0)
- NFL, Week 2, Box Score
- Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
Jets Leaders
- PASSING: Zach Wilson (9-15, 56 yards)
- RUSHING: Ty Johnson (3 carries, 17 yards)
- RECEIVING: Corey Davis (3 receptions, 24 yards)
Broncos Leaders
- PASSING: Teddy Bridgewater (11-17, 128 yards)
- RUSHING: Melvin Gordon (8 carries, 31 yards, 1 touchdown)
- RECEIVING: Tim Patrick (3 receptions, 43 yards)
Defense for the Quin
Crushed in the time of possession battle and lagging in the offensive firepower department, there are no rational reasons to believe that the New York Jets should be lingering in this Week 3 contest. But the defense has once again played well with the hand it’s been dealt, holding Denver to a field goal after three-and-out that lost 10 yards lasted just 98 seconds.
Quinnen Williams also put a number in the sack column with his first takedown of the year, which could further push defensive momentum.
Sheldon Rankins also picked up a quarterback hit in the first half.
OK RANK 💪💪💪#NYJvsDEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/hJYbEIaqIb
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 26, 2021
C.J. brings the boom
Also noteworthy was C.J. Mosley’s goal-line hit on Melvin Gordon. With his defense’s heels up against the end zone, Mosley came over to absolutely destroy the veteran running back.
Damn. What a hit by Mosley pic.twitter.com/lvN0kAvnhd
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 26, 2021
Rookie Javonte Williams would tally his first NFL touchdown shortly thereafter, putting Denver on the board first.
First career TD for the rook‼️
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/5pST5zXLtT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 26, 2021
Gordon would get his revenge with a score of his own late in the second quarter, one that stretched the lead to 17-0 at halftime.
.@Melvingordon25 would not be denied. 😤
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/xoMJIXMEvj
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 26, 2021
Return of the Zach
Robert Saleh asked Zach Wilson to have “boring” games after last week’s highly publicized four-turnover nightmare. Wilson has succeeded so far and even managed to create some long-sought offensive traction, if only for a short while.
Wilson has dealt with a relentless siege from the Broncos defense, as the offensive line continues to miss Mekhi Becton. But a sustained drive that ate up over seven minutes of the second quarter surely dealt him a solid boost of confidence, one that saw him convert three third downs via passes to Tyler Kroft, Ty Johnson, and Corey Davis.
Metropolitan goofiness (losing five yards at the cusp of Denver territory with an ill-advised short pass to Michael Carter and taking a delay of game penalty on an otherwise successful Matt Ammendola field) prevented the Jets from emerging with points.
Watching him successfully deal with adversity (and take care of the ball) was perhaps the best thing to happen to the New York offense this season, and that includes their lone touchdown-scoring drives in Carolina, which occurred too late to do anything noteworthy.
If anything, the quarter was a tough showing for last week’s breakout rusher Michael Carter. He dropped a third-down pass that could’ve created a lot of yardage and struggled to gain traction against Denver’s elite physical attack.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
