Jets Dominate Panthers 27-0 in Preseason Showdown

Anticipation soared as the New York Jets took on the Carolina Panthers in this week 1 NFL preseason matchup.

The number one overall pick, Bryce Young, made his NFL debut in today’s game. He has received immense praise from NFL hall of famers and analysts, despite never playing an NFL game.

NYJ quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Panthers Hall of Famer Steve Smith both complimented the rookie.

Smith said Bryce Young “has a veteran-like desire to absorb information, a rare trait in a rookie.”

Young only played three drives, throwing four for six and 21 yards. The three-drive performance started with a third-down pass conversion but ended with three straight punts.

Another young quarterback with eyes on his every move is NYJ backup Zach Wilson.

Head Coach Robert Saleh started Wilson for the entire first half after only playing the first quarter in the NFL Hall of Fame game.

Wilson’s first drive was a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ended in a 47-yard made field foal by Greg Zuerlein. The only scoring drive of the first quarter.

Matt Corral would take over the quarterback duties for the Panthers to start the fourth drive in the second quarter.

The former 2022 third-round pick would lead three, 3, and outs in the first half.

The only touchdown drive of the first half would come with 2:06 left in the second quarter. Wilson would go 5/5 and throw a touchdown on the 8-play 61-yard drive.

The drive’s crucial play came with 24 seconds left when Israel Abanikanda rushed up the middle for 26 yards to the Panthers’ 1-yard line.

Saleh said Wilson was “poised” during a “bleed-out scenario” as he left the Panthers with eight seconds in the half.

The Jets would dominate both time of possession and the scoreboard in the first half, leading 13-0.

Despite the Jets’ defense starting zero of the team’s listed regular season defensive starters, the defense would hold the Panthers to only 54 yards and zero points in the first half.

Jermaine Johnson II and Bryce Huff lead the defensive line. The edge rushers combined for a sack, four tackles, and three quarterback hits.

The Panthers got the ball to start the second half, and on the eighth play of the drive, Jets defensive tackle Bruce Hector stripped the ball out of a standing Matt Corall’s hand.

Hector, the former Philadelphia Eagle, was signed a couple of days before the game, and the immediate impact may make him someone to watch during Jets preseason.

Tim Boyle would go on to relieve Zach Wilson of his quarterback duties to start the third quarter. Wilson would finish his performance throwing 14/20, 123 yards, one touchdown, and a 6.2 YPA.

Boyle, who beat out Chris Streveler for the Jets’ third QB position, would only take six plays to throw an interception and give the Panthers’ offense another chance.

That chance would start at the Panther’s 34-yard line, and despite Corall’s 4/4 passing and 4th down conversion, they would turn the ball over on downs on their 49-yard line.

Boyle immediately rebounded; he led a 9-play 49-yard drive for a touchdown to extend the Jets’ lead to 20-0.

Boyle went 4/4 and threw a touchdown to the undrafted free agent, tight end EJ Jenkins.

Jenkins, 24 years old, was a WR at Georgia Tech; he is 6 feet 6 inches, runs a sub 4.6 40-yard dash, and has a 32-inch vertical, according to Sports Illustrated.

After another Panthers turnover on downs, the Jets began running the clock out.

Running backs Travis Dye and Damarea Crockett would lead a 15-play drive that lasted eight minutes and 41 seconds.

The drive was finished with Boyle throwing a four-yard touchdown on fourth and goal.

The Panthers used their timeouts, allowing one final drive to practice their two-minute offense.

The drive lasted eight plays for 35 yards and a last-play interception to Jets cornerback Jimmy Moreland.

The Panther’s rookies played decent throughout the game.

Third-round pick linebacker D.J. Johnson and rookie safety Jammie Robinson each had three tackles.

Meanwhile, Jets first-round pick Will McDonald IV had one tackle for loss and one sack, alongside sixth-round pick Zaire Barnes, who led the game with eight tackles.