It was almost like the “Miracle in the Meadowlands” for the New York Jets as they ended their preseason last Friday night.
They took on the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium and trailed most of the game, but fought hard and their extra push in the fourth quarter tied the score. Two incredible swift plays by New York in the last few seconds ended the game with a final score of 31-31.
“It was fun to watch those guys compete,” said first year head Coach Robert Saleh in the press conference following the game. “It’s important to everybody, but it shows how important it is to the guys who strapped it up and go play.”
Photo: Special to the. NY Beacon
Saleh decided not to play all of the starters, which gave players an opportunity to showcase their talents before roster cuts. “We felt like we had a productive training camp with regards to what we’ve seen in games,” he said.
2021 second overall NFL Draft pick quarterback Zach Wilson, sat out, while QB Josh Johnson and QB James Morgan filled-in.
The Eagles did not play QB Jalen Hurts. Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens played instead. 2020 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith also sat out.
The Eagles scored quickly with less than three minutes into the game. The Jets then worked their way up the field. A short 2-yd pass from Johnson to WR Lawrence Cager put the Jets on the scoreboard with about five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Kicker Matt Ammendola converted the extra point.
The Jets also had a slow start in the second quarter, but managed a successful field goal by Ammendola in the last two minutes of the quarter. Gang Green trailed the Eagles 21-10 at halftime.
The Jets returned energized in the third quarter. The Eagles scored a field goal and Jets had their second touchdown of the evening when Morgan handed the ball off to Ty Johnson who ran the ball through the middle for a touchdown.
Morgan had his second touchdown of the evening when he completed a 21-yd pass to tight end Kenny Yeboah with about seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Things looked scary for the Jets when the Eagles recovered a fumble by Jets tight end Daniel Brown and then scored a touchdown with about 1:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jets trailed 31 to 23 with about six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Morgan launched a 49-yd Hail May pass into the endzone. 6-3ft Yeboah jumped up and snatched the ball away for the touchdown. The Jets converted the 2-point conversion as Morgan handed off to RB Josh Adams who pushed through Eagles defense to tie the score at 31-31.
Morgan completed 13 of 23 passes for 158 yds. “I thought they both were good,” Saleh said about Morgan and Johnson.
Johnson had 7 of 8 completed passes for 73 yds. “He’s a veteran and knew exactly where to go with the ball,” said Saleh about Johnson. “He was decisive with it, so I thought he was productive.”
Jets now travel to North Carolina for the first game of the regular season against the Panthers. “As far as the next 15 days, we’re going to evaluate the roster and the waiver wire, all of the different things that come into it, and also get a jump start on Carolina,” Saleh said.
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