Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Jets at Denver Broncos
The New York Jets improved to 5-2 on the season and 4-0 on the road with a 16-9 victory over the Broncos.
The biggest play of the game for Gang Green’s offense came from the rookie phenom, running back Breece Hall. Hall broke free for a 62 yard scamper to the endzone in the first quarter to give the Jets a 7-0 lead. It was the longest run by a Jets player since 2017.
Despite the win, it wasn’t all chocolates and roses for the 5-2 Jets. Their rookie sensation went down in the second quarter with a knee injury. Head coach Robert Saleh told the media in the post game that Hall’s knee injury diagnosis is “not good”. It is suspected to be an ACL injury.
Versatile offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker was also ruled out in the second quarter with an elbow injury. It had a glaring impact on the protection for quarterback Zach Wilson. It seemed as if the 22-year old was running for his life on nearly every snap. The immense pressure from the Broncos pass rush never allowed Wilson to get into any sort of rhythm. Wilson finished the day going 16 for 26 with 121 yards passing and 24 yards rushing on four carries. He was sacked three times on the day.
Kicker Greg Zuerline otherwise known as “Legatron” drilled three field goals on the day. His longest was a 45 yarder to give the Jets the lead prior to halftime.
Aside from allowing a rushing touchdown early on in the first quarter, the Jets defense was dominant. They held the Broncos offense led by third year back up quarterback Brett Rypien to zero points through 45 total minutes of play. The Broncos were forced to punt six times and the Jets defense made two huge stops in the fourth quarter. The first came with 1:55 left when cornerback Ahmad Gardner ran in stride with Broncos’ wide receiver Cortland Sutton on a deep ball to the endzone. “Sauce” broke up the pass to force a turnover on downs.
Denver had one last chance to drive the field down by seven but on 4th and 10 with 37 seconds left Brett Rypien heaved one down field and the pass fell incomplete. Safety Lamarcus Joyner intercepted Rypien in the third quarter which led to the Jets extending the lead even further with a field goal.
The Jets have won four games in a row for the first time since 2015. They host the New England Patriots next Sunday at Metlife Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
Things to Note:
- Wide receiver Corey Davis suffered a knee injury (appears to be MCL strain) in this game but is not expected to miss extended time.
- Cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner and DJ Reed finished with 6 combined pass break ups.
