Jets quarterback Justin Fields gave fans of the team reason to be excited a week ago, in his brief preseason debut against the Packers. Saturday night, he and the Jets’ prime offense took the field against the Giants’ starting defense at MetLife Stadium, and things did not go as smoothly.
The Jets’ passing offense failed to get anything going in two drives, with Fields finishing 1-of-5 for four yards. It wasn’t all bad for the Jets’ offense, which had some impressive moments in the run game against the formidable Giants defensive line. But between the non-existent passing game and a 80-yard bomb surrendered by the defense to Giants quarterback Russell Wilson on the opening drive, coach Aaron Glenn’s halftime interview summed it up well with the Jets trailing 7-6.
“Sloppy. Sloppy and we’ve got to get better,” Glenn told CBS on the broadcast. “And we will get better in the second half. Defense, we gave up two big plays, and that’s the only thing we gave up. But other than that we were sloppy across the board.”
The Jets converted a first down on their first drive, with a quick completion from Fields to Mason Taylor and a fourth-and-inches run from Braelon Allen. But things quickly went awry on the next three plays.
It wasn’t all on Fields: Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux beat right tackle Armand Membou on first-and-10, forcing Fields into a jump pass that sailed over running back Breece Hall; a high snap from Joe Tippmann forced Fields to jump again on second down, and he bounced a quick throw into the turf, a few yards short of receiver Garrett Wilson. And on third down, his pass to Wilson was slightly behind and incomplete.
Fields’ arm was barely a factor on the second drive, as the Jets called 10 runs on the 12 plays. Fields ran for five yards on one of those called passes, when he couldn’t find an open receiver (it appeared Taylor was uncovered on the play, but it’s unclear ifhe was part of Fields’ read progression for that play call). The other called passing play came on third-and-2 after the Jets reached the Giants’ 20. And Fields couldn’t connect with Wilson on a slant and the Jets settled for a Nick Folk 38-yard field goal.
The Jets’ ability to run the ball on the Giants defense was impressive, especially since they had to know it was coming after six straight called runs to start the drive. Allen was especially good on the drive, keeping it from being a three-and-out with an 11-yard run on third-and-8. He added two more five-yard runs, including another first down conversion on third-and-1 from the 50.
That’s encouraging for the Jets, but if Fields can’t make defenses pay when he does throw the ball, it’s going to be a struggle for the Jets’ offense this season. And that’s an open question with Fields completing 4-of-9 passes for 46 yards through three preseason drives.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t a great start for the Jets’ defense – although they were without several key starters because of injury, including two of their best players: cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Edge rushers Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson (who is recovering from a torn Achilles and was upgraded ) also didn’t play.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson connected with Beaux Collins for an 80-yard gain on the third play of the game, with Collins seeming to beat both cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers and safety Andre Cisco on the play. Cisco tackled him just short of the goalline and Devin Singletary scored two plays later to give the Giants the early lead.
The Jets’ first-string defense remained on the field with the Giants starters for two more drives and held them to 31 yards on seven plays.
But Glenn, who was not impressed, said his message to the team would be straightforward.
“We’ve got to fix it,” Glenn said. “It’s simple. We’ve got to fix it. Can’t be sloppy.”
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Andy Vasquez may be reached atavasquez@njadvancemedia.com.
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