The Jets’ reserves made themselves comfortable in Carolina’s heat
- New York Jets 27 (1-1)
- Carolina Panthers 0 (0-1)
- NFL, Preseason, Final
- Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Aerial touchdowns for tight ends Kenny Yeboah, E.J. Jenkins, and Zack Kuntz proved more than enough for the New York Jets to prevail in their second preseason game of the 2023 NFL season, as a sterling defensive effort led to a 27-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
With a good number of New York starters sitting out again, Zach Wilson was granted quarterback duties for the entire first half, completing 14-of-20 passes for 123 yards. His final throw of the day was a two-yard scoring toss to Yeboah, one that gave the Jets a two-possession lead that proved permanent.
Zach Wilson finds Kenny Yeboah with a great throw for the touchdown! 🔥 #NYJvsCAR #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/OTyNkoXYRc
— Get Your Game On (@GetYourGameOnP) August 12, 2023
Wilson also helped set up the Jets’ first scoring drive of the day, one that ended with a Greg Zuerlein field goal, with a 25-yard hook-up with top-depth running back Michael Carter.
Michael Carter is showing off the JUICE today! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kyFOR5f6Ah
— 𝙅𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼🛫 (@NYJets_Media) August 12, 2023
The Jets (1-1) also offered a rude welcome to the NFL for the most recent top overall pick, Bryce Young.
Between Young and Matt Corral, Carolina quarterbacks were sacked five times, with Quinton Jefferson earning the honors on the former.
Quinton Jefferson gets the sack on Bryce Young!
(via @nyjets) pic.twitter.com/iXDcB4nLCR
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 12, 2023
Young completed 4-of-6 attempts in his unofficial NFL debut but was limited to only 21 yards, the longest going eight.
Though a review denied him a second preseason end zone visit, rookie running back Israel Abanikanda tallied 85 total yards while Carter mustered 53. Most of the former’s tally came on the aforementioned final drive of the first half, an eight-play, 61-yard trek that ended in Yeboah’s haul.
Israel Abanikanda put the Panthers defense in a blender on this run😳 incredibly deep RB and DL room being fully showcased today for the Jets.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) August 12, 2023
With the Jets lead previously sustained by another Zuerlein field goal, the teams opened the second half by exchanging turnovers: XFL arrival Bruce Hector earned a strip sack of Panthers’ thrower Matt Corral.
However, Sam Franklin intercepted Tim Boyle on the very next possession (though he was denied a touchdown by Boyle himself, who made the tackle).
WATCH: Former #XFL Champion Bruce Hector with what one would call a "picture perfect" strip sack.
Hector was solid for the Arlington Renegades in the XFL, and is already making an impact for the New York Jets. pic.twitter.com/lYqs23POSj
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 12, 2023
Sam Franklin with the interception..
But he’s gonna get roasted during film for getting tackled by the QBpic.twitter.com/PMTqa9ETWK
— Scoot (@slastnightsgame) August 12, 2023
The Jets broke through with two final touchdowns.
Boyle found redemption with two aerial tallies, the first to E.J. Jenkins and the other to tight end Kuntz on their final possession.
former @RedFlashFB WR EJ Jenkins catches a TD pass for Jets in today's #NFLPreseason game. He had 13 TDs in 12 games for SFU in 2019. pic.twitter.com/ywb7M7GRjf
— Ralph S. Ventre (@RealestRalph) August 12, 2023
The New York Jets will spend the second half of their preseason quartet at MetLife Stadium, beginning with a visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, WCBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
