New York Jets-Atlanta Falcons halftime report

The Jets’ decision to rest starters has led to a sleepy affair at MetLife Stadium as Falcons lead 16-3

Jets (3)

• PASSING: Mike White (11-of-15, 87 yards)
• RUSHING: Tevin Coleman (2 carries, 8 yards)
• RECEIVING: Denzel Mims (2 receptions, 32 yards)

Falcons (16)

• PASSING: Desmond Ridder (10-of-13, 143 yards)
• RUSHING: Tyler Allgeier (5 carries, 15 yards)
• RECEIVING: Anthony Firkser (2 receptions, 56 yards)

.@GarrettWilson_V's hands >>>

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/GOVLWPRMWf

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 23, 2022

Where There’s a Wilson, There’s A Way

The Jets’ offense looks absolutely dormant tonight with almost every major asset resting, but the unit is at least making the most of the Wilson that’s medically cleared to be on the field tonight. Garrett Wilson was the closest thing the Jets had to an offensive playmaker in the first half, catching all three of his targets.

Yardage has been hard to come by (Wilson earned only 15) but his hands managed to put on a strong showcase on New York’s fruitless second drive. The catch set up a manageable third down, but a five-yard penalty for a false start stifled any momentum.

Denzel Mims likewise came up big in the final stages of the half, giving the Jets the closest thing they had to offensive momentum with a 27-yard reception that afforded the Jets their first steps into Atlanta territory and set up their only points via the leg of Greg Zuerlein. Mims’ quest to make the roster will likely be the primary head for Jets fans masochistic enough to stay up for the latter stages.

Pass Defense Offenseive

The Jets obviously put more merit into their physical joint practices with the Falcons rather than the exhibition game that wrapped up Atlanta’s visit. Every play from tonight’s contest should be prefaced with the lack-of-starters disclaimer but tonight’s game yields a scary message about the Jets’ secondary depth … or lack thereof.

Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder have feasted upon a defense mostly kept unkempt in the wake of several other pressing roster needs, earning 275 yards on a combined 16-of-23 passing. They’ve been particularly cruel to Bryce Hall, who let up the first Atlanta touchdown earned by Olamide Zaccheaus.

In Their Defense, Though …

Perhaps partly aided by a plethora of Atlanta penalties (including a few in a bizarre stretch where six consecutive flags were thrown on the Falcons’ final offensive possession), the Jets’ defensive reserves have buckled down when it matters: while Atlanta has made it inside the Jets’ 20-yard-line on four of their five possessions, only one of those treks has ended in the end zone. Brandin Echols stopped Tyler Allgeier one yard away from the end zone on third down while pressure has come from Micheal Clemons and Bradley Anae.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags