New York Jets - Week 1 recap and Week 2 preview
WEEK 1 QUICK RECAP
Photo Credit: TheJetPress.com
The New York Jets (0-1) fell to the Carolina Panthers (1-0) 14-19 as Sam Darnold and the Panthers defeated the new look Jets. Darnold finished 24-35 with 279 and a long score to former Jets receiver Robby Anderson. The final numbers are not indicative of how the ebbs and flows of the game went. Early on, the Panthers were clearly the better team and moved the ball effectively. Meanwhile the Jets offense was faced with an inability to put anything together. Worse still, the much lauded rebuilt offensive line was not great. Later in the game, the Jets best OL had his kneecap dislocate causing him to be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks which could be longer depending on how a second opinion goes.
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
The "next big thing" for Jets fans was the debut of Zach Wilson. Wilson finished 20-37 with 2TDs an INT and 258 yards. Corey Davis was, as expected, the key receiver for the young BYU product - as he hauled in 5 catches for 97 yards and both of the passes in the end zone. The final score was a difference of five points, and the fact the Jets best rusher was Tevin Coleman who had 9 carries for 24 yards, seemed like all the difference. Opposite Coleman was the electric Christian McCaffrey - a better weapon than Darnold ever had.
Photo Credit: ProFootballFocus.com
Despite giving up 16 points in the second quarter, the Jets defense really settled down in the second half and cut down the success the Panthers had. In the second half, the Panthers had one 12 play drive that ended up with a Field Goal but otherwise every other drive ended in a punt (or the end of the game). Another thing to keep in mind was that one of the scores given up was a 1 play 57 yard touchdown (to Robby). There are reasons to hope for better - but then again it is hard to gauge the Panthers and how good they are just yet.
WHAT'S NEXT
JetLife stadium welcomes the Patriots on Sunday, as the Patriots open as 6 point favorites. Mac Jones vs Zach Wilson - but also Bill Belichick, a legend, faces off against Robert Saleh - in his second game as a head coach. There is such little known about each of these teams but here is where I expect it all to go:
I have to give the Jets the edge here. Despite the OL being busted up, the Jets will add Crowder and Cole to the mix, taking the pressure off Mims and allowing for the scheme to work out. The biggest question mark here is the ability to get the run going. Tevin Coleman had 9 of the 17 rushing attempts...for a total of 24 yards. Ty Johnson and Michael carter each had four carries for 15 and 6 yards respectively. It seems the Jets saw the run wasnt working and largely abandoned it.
The Patriots are always a mystery in the offensive side. Mac Jones did have a solid day going 29-39 in his debut without tossing a pick. He did what you had to do in order to win, a staple of a Belichick coached team. Damien Harris running for 100 yards on 23 carries was huge. The ball was spread out nicely amongst receivers as well - with Agholor, White, Meyers and Jonnu Smith all getting five or more targets.
Defensively both teams are not stellar and both franchises are hoping for one key player to produce at all three levels - the Jets hoping a QWilliams/CJ Mosley/Maye core works whereas New England is counting on Devin McCourty, Hightower, and a guy like Van Noy to step up.
PREDICTION
This one is not easy to predict because of the uncertainty, but when in doubt - always go Belicheck.
Patriots 26 - Jets 17
