Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Smith (87) catches a pass during the second half as Washington Commanders cornerback James Pierre (29) and Washington Commanders defensive back Tyler Owens (40) pursue during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Washington Commanders at New York Jets
(East Rutherford, NJ) – With nearly all of the regular starters watching from the sideline, the Jets were able to pull out a victory in their preseason opener on Saturday.
The game started with a 70-yard drive capped off by a Jayden Daniels 3-yard rushing touchdown. Both teams stalled on their following two drives before the Jets made an attempt to tie the game.
Braelon Allen started the drive with three-straight rushes eclipsing 43 yards in the process. Fellow rookie back Isaiah Davis caught a 24-yard pass later on to keep the drive. Andrew Peasley then connected with Jason Brownlee for his lone reception to tie the game at 7. Peasley would finish the day completing 8-of-11 passes for 73 yards and a score.
Both teams would score field goals on short drives to enter halftime tied at 10 each. Washington then led another long scoring drive at the end of third quarter, this time led by Sam Hartman at quarterback with the Commanders’ leading rusher, Michael Wiley, punching it in for a 17-10 lead.
New York wasted no time getting back in the game. Adrian Martinez found Tyler Harrell to get into Washington territory, and then hit Brandon Smith deep to give the Jets first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Second year back Izzy Abanikanda got busy and tied the game at 17 with 7 minutes left in the game.
After Washington went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Martinez then had the opportunity to take his team down for a game-winning score. The deep ball was once again the key on this drive, his 33-yard pass to Smith would set up a number of running plays and eventually Austin Seibert’s game-sealing field goal with 20 seconds remaining.
Martinez spoke with the media following his late-game heroics and credited his relationships with teammates for his success. “Ove the two weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve been able to build up some trust with him [Smith]. I feel like I can trust him out there, along with some of those other guys, too. That’s part of this game – finding your guys and giving them opportunities. That’s really all I did. He was the one who went out there and made the plays for me.”
Wise words from an undrafted rookie quarterback, perhaps his confident play and mature media process will give Martinez an opportunity to make the Jets’ roster.
