EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Jets played in their first preseason game Thursday night. MetLife Stadium welcomed the much improved Jacksonville Jaguars, led by Blake Bortles. Both teams missed the playoffs last year, and are looking to turn things around this season. The playoff road starts in the preseason, and Thursday night was the first test for New York and Jacksonville.
The Jets would go on to win 17-13 over the Jaguars, and it was the New York backups that delivered in the clutch. Jet fans have to be happy with the depth that was showcased against Jacksonville. There still is much improvement and kinks that needs to be worked out, but New York should be happy with their performance. Here are five stats that stuck out the most from Thursday’s contest.
1) New York Jets – Zero Turnovers
- Geno Smith fumbled in the third quarter, but was able to recover the football. Smith fumbled on a 1st and GOAL out of the shotgun, and New York salvaged a field goal out of the drive. Aside from the brief red-zone scare, the Jets did a great job with their ball security. It will be important moving forward that the Jets continue to play mistake free football, and keep their defense in preferable situations.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars – 319 passing yards
- Opponents against the Jets last season, averaged 235.2 passing yards per game. The New York secondary looked far from sharp against Bortles and Chad Henne. Bortles (6/7, 105 yds) and Henne (8/9, 94 yds) combined for only two incompletions Thursday. This can’t happen whether its preseason or Week 14. There has been big hype surrounding the talent in the Jets secondary, and the play needs to back up the hype.
- Doug O’Neal Middleton had the game saving interception with :17 seconds left in the game. Jacksonville was driving and had made it into the Jets red-zone (NYJ 14).
3) Charone Peake – four receptions, 45 yards and one touchdown
- There has been much discussion about the young wide receiving core of the Jets. Peake has had a good showing so far in training camp, and improved upon that with his performance Thursday night. The rookie out of Clemson caught a 17 yard touchdown pass from Smith to end the first half. The impressive thing from Peake was that he caught all four of his targets.
4) Darron Lee – four tackles (three solo), one sack, two tackles for loss
- The rookie out of Ohio State did not disappoint in his first appearance for Gang Green. Lee showed his versatility as a hybrid player by also playing special teams. Lee’s role is going to be determined as the season goes on, but the youngster has showed great potential. Lee does a great job of getting behind the line of scrimmage for being “undersized”.
5) Jalin Marshall – one kick return for 84 yards
- Coach Todd Bowles spoke about how he would be experimenting with who would be the Jets kick returner. Marshall made a good case for himself, by returning a kick off for 84 yards. This happened right before the end of the first half, and set up a Jets touchdown later that drive. Marshall’s potential as a good receiver has been on display all training camp, but adding a return game will only help Marshall establish an immediate role.
Most Disappointing Performance:
- Romar Morris got the most carries for the Jets with 11 on Thursday night. Morris only managed 27 yards, with his longest rush being for 8 yards. Thursday was a good opportunity for Morris to showcase his shiftiness and speed, but won’t be his only opportunity.
Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732
(Featured Image Credit: John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)