NY Jets-Eagles halftime report: Hurts, Swift take 14-9 lead

The New York Jets haven’t been able to consistently stop Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ weapons

No one expected the New York Jets to have a chance to beat the 5-0 Philadelphia Eagles. While the Jets are hanging in with Philadelphia, trailing 14-9, they have had multiple opportunities to attack and have failed to capitalize. As a result, their only scores are from Greg Zuerlein: three short field goals, including one that he just squeaked through the left upright.

Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and D’Andre Swift have been methodically driving the ball on the Jets’ defense. Fortunately for the Jets, two turnovers enabled them to keep the game close.

New York Jets (9)

• PASSING: Zach Wilson (11-for-21, 96 yards, 2 sacks, 64.8 rating)
• RUSHING: Zach Wilson (2 rushes, 17 yards)
• RECEIVING: Garrett Wilson (5 receptions, 47 yards)

Philadelphia Eagles (14)

• PASSING: Jalen Hurts (18-for-25, 172 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT,  87.4 rating)
• RUSHING: Jalen Hurts (4 rushes, 21 yards, 1 TD)
• RECEIVING: A.J. Brown (5 reception, 89 yards)

Containment doesn’t work

The Eagles’ first drive spanned 19 plays and 91 yards, culminating in a three-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts. The Jets’ bend-but-don’t-break approach works only if they don’t break, and they did there. They initially appeared to have stopped Hurts after the referees ruled that the quarterback fumbled at the one-yard line on fourth and goal. Upon review, though, the call was reversed to a score.

JJ to Quinnen!

On third and nine from the Jets 47, New York brought the house to pressure Jalen Hurts. The Eagles had a good play call in a screen to Dallas Goedart, but Jermaine Johnson alertly punched the ball out, and it fell into the hands of Quinnen Williams for the interception.

It’s the first career interception for Williams with an assist from Johnson.

QUINNEN WILLIAMS INT🤯

It’s the first pick of his career. The Jets (+6.5) are hanging in there with the undefeated Eagles.

(🎥:@NFL)pic.twitter.com/0pbPLo5mfj

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) October 15, 2023

The Jets failed to capitalize on the field position, though, missing on a fourth-and-five.

Jets recover a fumble

After Quinnen Williams was called for roughing the passer to push the Eagles into Jets territory, C.J. Mosley punched the ball out from D’Andre Swift. Shockingly, the Jets recovered the fumble and regained possession near midfield. Quincy Williams had a chance to scoop the ball up but bobbled it.

LET'S GO CAP @TreyDeuce32RTR!!!#PHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/0TDoYgKspS

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2023

More red zone woes

Both the Jets’ offense and defense have struggled in the red zone. The offense failed to capitalize on three red zone drives, while the defense allowed the Eagles to score touchdowns on both of their forays inside the 20.

As Mark Sanchez pointed out on the broadcast, Zach Wilson has been locking onto one side of the field in the red zone. The Eagles’ safeties are wise to it, resulting in nowhere to go with the football.

Before the half, the Jets had the ball in the red zone with a chance to score a touchdown, but a crippling holding penalty on Wes Schweitzer put them behind the sticks. They had to settle for a 35-yard field goal as the first half expired.

Injuries

Joe Tippmann is questionable to return with a thigh injury. Both Quincy Williams and Garrett Wilson left briefly but returned to the game. For the Eagles, right tackle Lane Johnson is questionable to return with an ankle injury. Cornerback Eli Ricks also left the game with a knee injury.

The Eagles get the ball to start the second half.