Rookies and reserves helped the Jets salvage a dire evening
When one quarterback went down, another rose up to come up big in the clutch.
Granted, Chris Streveler’s late heroics will do nothing to soothe Jets’ fans concerns about Zach Wilson, who was forced to leave Friday night’s exhibition opener against the Philadelphia Eagles early with an injury on a scramble. But it did allow the Jets to escape Lincoln Financial Field with a 24-21 victory in their 2022 summer slate debut.
Streveler, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, had two scores in the latter stages of the fourth quarter to earn the win.
Philadelphia’s offensive starters carved up the Jets’ premier defense to the tune of an 80-yard scoring match that took only seven plays. Jalen Hurts was a perfect 6-for-6 on the drive, capping the affair off with a 22-yeard scoring toss to Dallas Goedert, one play after his rush into the end zone that was erased by a penalty.
Jalen Hurts goes 6/6 and caps off the drive with a 22-yard TD pass to Dallas Goedert 💪
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/VizgvUCeQq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 12, 2022
Alas for the Jets, their young franchise man didn’t fare so well. Wilson completed 3-of-5 passes on his two drives (two earning first downs to Tyler Conklin and Elijah Moore) but disaster struck twice in different forms: his interception to Kyzir White set the Eagles up in prime position to score again and his highly publicized injury was a brutal blow to Gang Green supporters everywhere.
Wilson was officially diagnosed with a knee injury and was labeled “questionable” to return.
Kyzir White read this Zach Wilson pass like a 📖
INT for the @Eagles pic.twitter.com/KwCalQ7HFN
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 12, 2022
#Jets QB Zach Wilson comes up limping after a run. #NFL #NFLTwitter @FullPressJets
(🎥@MikeGiardi) pic.twitter.com/BFbwXyGo9f
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) August 13, 2022
To make matters worse, the Jets fell behind by two possessions thanks to a one-yard run on fourth-and-goal from Jason Huntley.
Jason Huntley in there for the TD❗️#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cUKYvmWpbU
— Eagles Scoop (@eaglesscoop) August 13, 2022
With Wilson done, Mike White handled a majority of the primary offensive duties before Chris Streveler stepped in the latter portions of the second half. White threw for a game-best 98 yards and led an eight-play, 46-yard scoring drive after a Michael Clemons sack helped keep Philadelphia pinned inside their own 10.
Undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight was the scorer for the Jets, punching it in from a matching single yard out. White found Denzel Mims twice on third down to keep the scoring drive alive.
Bam Knight finds the end zone! #Jets got Denzel Mims involved on that drive. Zuerlein hit the PAT. #Eagles up 14-10 pic.twitter.com/lYWhSjHyn7
— Jack Stollow (@jetsbyjack) August 13, 2022
Streveler, who joined the Jets on July 26, eventually played the hero, earning a go-ahead score to third-round rookie Jeremy Rucker. After Philadelphia struck back with an 18-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a go-ahead score for Kennedy Brooks, the Jets took advantage of Knight’s 52-yard runback on the ensuing kickoff that put them at the cusp of Eagle territory.
Primarily aided by his 23-yard run, the Jets enjoyed Streveler’s heroics one last time when he found Calvin Jackson for the triumphant five-yard score to cap things off.
Jeremy Ruckert, who grew up a #Jets fan on Long Island, scores in his first professional game. pic.twitter.com/utVIWA7GsN
— Matt O'Leary (@MattOLearyNY) August 13, 2022
Calvin Jackson Jr with the game-winning touchdown 🔥
Jets (+100 ML) ✅pic.twitter.com/LAnQIyV7X4
— Action Network NFL (@ActionNetNFL) August 13, 2022
The Jets’ next preseason showdown will come on Aug. 22, when they battle the Atlanta Falcons in a nationally televised Monday night exhibition (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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The defence looked Consitantly out of position throughout the entire game. I did not see any contested passes by our LB’s or CB’s. No Batted balls by the defencive line. The Eagles QB’s where largely Successful at picking up first downs with there legs. (Which a lot of QBs can do now in the NFL) No Blitzing whatso ever. (Even on obvious Blitzing situations like 3rd & 15) The defence had 1 TFL maybe 2 against the running game all night. Two Missed INT’s at the end of the game. Besides the 4 sacks. The 4th down stop and the Eagles punting from there own 5. There were not many positives on the defensive side of the ball.
There were a lot more positives for the offence. Running game was solid, Back up QB’s protected the ball and delivered under pressure. 3 drops by the receiving core but Still able to get open and produce yards. Offensive line did not give up any sacks and gave the QBs plenty of time. Play calls were effective and not obvious. Besides Zach Wilson giving up points with the INT, The overthrow to Uzomah by White In the endzone and the 3 dropped passes (1 for a TD by #82 Ivan Charles) The offence played well.
Special teams played very well. No missed FG’s or XP’s. Mann’s Pin at the 5 was crutial. Kudos to knight for the 45 yard kickoff return to set up the game winning drive. My only complaint is the fumble by Rashad Davis #18. He was lucky to get that ball back after the eagles player could not jump on it. Davis bobbled 2 kicks before the fumble as well. I don’t think he’s the man for the job. Put knight back there.
Here’s what’s bothering me today: it’s not the pick. I get it, this is practice and it’s early those things happen. It’s the fact he didn’t just trot out of bounds, which tells me he has learned nothing and hasn’t progressed mentally nor has the game “slowed down” for him. That’s a rookie mistake. It tells me in the moment and the emotion of the game he didn’t know the situation. He didn’t understand “time and score.” He didn’t realize he wasn’t playing in game 10 vs. the Patoilets for a playoff spot. It was the second drive of the FIRST pre-season game and he either couldn’t process that or he did and he made a rookie decision. That’s the problem. At this point I’ve accepted he’ll most likely be out the season with some sort of knee injury but it’s the reason he’s injured that bothers me.
I would also like to know what the defense has been doing at practice? I don’t trust Jeff Ulbrich and the signs are not good. This defense doesn’t look prepared…EVER! I saw the same things, easy holes for the opponent’s passing game, draws, screens and swing passed going for double digit yardage and 3rd and 8 conversions. The fact the D looked like it was the first time they took the field is worrisome to say the least.
The defence looked Consitantly out of position throughout the entire game. I did not see any contested passes by our LB’s or CB’s. No Batted balls by the defencive line. The Eagles QB’s where largely Successful at picking up first downs with there legs. (Which a lot of QBs can do now in the NFL) No Blitzing whatso ever. (Even on obvious Blitzing situations like 3rd & 15) The defence had 1 TFL maybe 2 against the running game. Two Missed INT’s at the end of the game. There were not many positives on the defensive side of the ball.
Your sentiments matches mine entirely. On both issues. I’ve been a big supporter of Wilson but I was agitated by both mistakes. Both are rookie level mistakes that speak more to possible mental immaturity in the heat of battle…which is very troubling. Also agreed about the lack of confidence in Ulbrich. His performance needs to change very quickly or Saleh will rightfully pay the price.