The final preseason game is officially in the books. It’s now full steam ahead to the regular season for Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets.
Before that, though, the team made a valiant comeback effort in their final preseason game. The Jets rallied back from a 19-3 deficit to ultimately fall 19-17 to the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium Friday night.
Jets offense struggles early
The Jets offense got off to a slow start with Brady Cook leading the way. Two holding penalties blew through their first couple of drives. Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Kyle McCord led the team into scoring range when Jake Elliott connected for a 51-yard field goal and a 3-0 Eagles lead.
Elliott would record another 50-yard field goal early in the second quarter to double Philly’s lead. Through it all, Cook and the starting Jets offense struggled to move the ball consistently.
Their defense did have some rookies excel at times, though.
Fourth-round rookie safety Malachi Moore recorded a strong special teams tackle to open the game and picked up an interception two series later. Undrafted free agent Payton Page also recorded a sack during the first half of action.
Before the half, though, Cook finally got the offense moving—completing four of six passes for 51 yards, and getting New York into field goal range. Nick Folk connected on a 41-yard attempt, and the Jets took a 6-3 deficit into the half.
Second half
In the second half, a 41-yard punt return by Jamaal Pritchett set up the Jets in prime scoring position. With Adrian Martinez entering the game, New York could not move the ball down the field. A 55-yard field goal from Harrison Mevis went wide right, and the Jets came away with no points.
Philadelphia would respond with the game’s first touchdown, a 15-yard run by Montrell Johnson.
From there, Martinez struggled mightily in the third quarter.
Midway through the third quarter, he fumbled the football deep in his own territory, which gave the Eagles an additional three points. On the next offensive play, he threw an interception to Lewis Cine, who had no Jet receiver in the area.
Another late field goal from Philadelphia put them into the driver’s seat, leading 19-3.
The Jets offense responded with a fourth-quarter flurry. Led by Martinez, Gang Green scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives to nearly tie the game at 19. Unfortunately, Donovan Edwards’s 2-point conversion could not cross the goal line (coming up just inches short).
Aaron Glenn’s team finished preseason play at a 1-2 mark. They open up the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 7. Before that, though, the New York Jets must make final cuts to the 90-man roster.
Game Notes:
- Armand Membou was the only penciled-in offensive starter who played for the Jets. He joined the rest of the incoming rookie class as each player played against Philly.
- On defense, safety Isaiah Oliver and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III each got in action during the first quarter of play. Oliver seems safe, but after multiple trades at tackle, LT3 may be on the bubble. It looked worse for the Miami product when he got action late into the second half.
- Cook finished 13-19 passes for 99 yards and an interception. Martinez, though, struggled to do much of anything with his reps until his fourth-quarter comeback—when the integrity of the game seemingly broke down. The question will be what the Jets value more going into cutdown day.
- Braiden McGregor picked up a sack late in the game. He remains on the roster bubble, but put forth a strong game.
