Jets @ Panthers
Final Score: Jets 15, Panthers 12
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1)
A poor excuse for a football game was only worth the watch thanks to the commentary of Steve Smith Sr., whose slow, despairing enthusiasm for what he was watching provided some much-needed comic relief. Hand-offs, screen passes and truly terrible quarterback play soured this lifeless game that saw pitiful offensive drives fizzle out, hence the seven field goals! A last-second rushing touchdown was too late for those who had already fallen asleep.
One Up
- Will McDonald IV – the first-round pass rusher provided the only NFL-calibre play of the game when he put a spin move on the tackle and destroyed Jack Plummer for a sack. Elite!
Two Down
- Terrace Marshall Jr. – the forgotten wideout of the 2021 NFL Draft is still only 24 but his opportunities are growing thin. He made a couple of routine grabs but failed to haul in a sideline pass that he should have caught.
- Jonathan Mingo – another wide receiver who has a big question mark over him heading into this season saw action early in this game and was snuffed out quickly on a couple of plays. He didn’t look particularly fast or like he stood out against backups which is worrying.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Andrew Peasley: 7/11, 33 Yards, 1 Sack | 4 Carries, 25 Yards
I was alarmed at just how bad Peasley, an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, was. He looked nervous, to be fair, but he also looked scared, which is not good. He was rushing everything at every step and even a standard checkdown went awry with each attempt. Reduced to simple screen passes was about the best we got. Peasley gave way to UFL MVP Adrian Martinez in the second half and remarkably things got even worse. His interception was just a really bad high school throw. Yikes! The Jets have two aging, injury-risk quarterbacks on the roster ahead of Peasley. Pray, Jets fans!
Running Back
Isaiah Davis: 7 Carries, 45 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 0 Yards
After the sensational Breece Hall, the Jets have a collection of young backs with varying degrees of skill sets. Davis, a rookie 5th-round draft choice, was given the start over his 4th-round counterpart Braelon Allen, and he looked explosive and elusive on a handful of carries on the opening couple of drives. A strong, downhill runner, he seems fit for the outside zone runs.
Braelon Allen: 7 Carries, 45 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
More likely to be of use over Davis initially when the season starts as a short-yardage, move-the-sticks guy with soft hands out of the backfield, Allen had a couple of impact plays later in the first half. He was in for the first 3rd down play and was inexcusably missed when wide open on a short throw from Peasley. Allen worked in with Israel Abanikanda later in the game, and both he and Davis looked to have the hold on roster spots before Abanikanda, who looked a little sluggish, to be honest.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Malachi Corley: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards
A couple of nice grabs from slot receiver Corley, who looks to see opportunities straight away as a rookie. He made a nice catch on a slant over the middle of the field to move the chains and you could see his burst off the line and safe hands at work. The Jets only completed 14 passes all night and no receiver registered more than 25 yards.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Jack Plummer: 11/18, 42 Yards, 1 Sack | 1 Carry, -1 Yard
An undrafted rookie out of Louisville, Plummer wasn’t asked to do much in this game with a couple of screen passes and easy sideline throws to open receivers as the preferred options. When he was asked to stay in the pocket, he was mightily ineffective and was pummelled by McDonald for his only sack. This is not an NFL-calibre quarterback.
Running Back
Dillon Johnson: 18 Carries, 83 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 0 Yards
It felt like a war of attrition for the Panthers all night with so many players looking well short of what is required at the NFL level. Johnson, however, may avoid the cut for another week at least thanks to a tough late run near the goal line that resulted in the only touchdown of the game. After Mike Boone had looked solid early on, Johnson took over and generally was given the keys to the offense as the Panthers emphasized the run game the rest of the way. Johnson ran with determination and purpose and stood out for his ability to break tackles and keep the legs churning after contact.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Terrace Marshall Jr.: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
The sight of Marshall, running with the true backups, celebrating catching a slant on third down early in the game can be viewed two ways: it is either wildly hopeful or an embarrassing taste of reality. I’ll leave you to decide but the former LSU wideout is on last-chance alley with the Panthers and he needs to be more about his business than what he showed in this game. He had an opportunity to make a play to get his team in the red zone but failed to beat out a backup defensive back to the ball.
Jonathan Mingo: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards, TD | 1 Carry, -4 Yards
Lauded for his size/speed combo, Mingo looked pedestrian at best with his two legal touches. He did take a screen pass for over twenty yards but the play was brought back for a holding call. I’m not bought in on Mingo in this offense, and if he is struggling now working with the backups it is not a great sign.