Jets End Preseason With Win

Streveler Leads Last Minute Comeback

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

The home team New York Jets had another last minute victory and concluded their preseason with a 31-27 win against the New York Giants last Sunday afternoon in the MetLife Stadium.

The Jets defense came out aggressive in the first quarter. Jets offense started rusty but improved later in the game. Second year head coach Robert Saleh faced tough decisions following the game Sunday regarding whether or not to keep which quarterbacks, after Mike White and Chris Streveler each had successful moments. “All of those discussions in the quarterback room will happen tomorrow,” Coach Saleh said.

 

 

Joe Flacco started the game at quarterback, but was later replaced by White and then Streveler at the position. Flacco threw 7 of 12 completed passes for 76 yards and had one interception. White completed 13 of 17 passes for 170 yards and threw two touchdowns. “Mike is a really good quarterback,” Saleh said. “I know the first couple of games left a bad taste in his mouth, so for him to have the game he had was really good.”

Streveler completed 10 of 13 passes for 96 yds and threw two touchdowns. “Streveler has probably had one of the greatest preseasons in the history of football,” Saleh said. “It’s been awesome.”

The Jets offense had some trouble getting started. They received first and were unable to score on opening drive. Running back Michael Carter was tackled and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Giants. “You can see that we’re just a little out-of-sync with the offensive line in terms of the run game and our running backs hitting the hole the way they needed to,” Saleh said.

The Jets defense stepped up and got the ball back quickly when Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and Corner back Michael Carter II made a split quarterback sack.  Carter II later had an interception that led the Jets down the field to a field goal by Greg Zuerlein. 

Giants tied the score at three in the second quarter after a field goal by Giants Ryan Santoso.  Giants inside linebacker Austin Calitro intercepted Flacco’s pass on the Jets next possession and scored a touchdown. 

The Jets were able to tie the score at 10 with a touchdown pass from White to wide receiver Braxton Berrios. The Jets went to halftime ahead 17-10 after White completed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeff Smith. The Giants bounced back after halftime with  touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

Streveler entered the game with 11:49 remaining in the fourth quarter and helped the Jets make a turnaround.  Streveler quickly worked down the field and completed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Denzel Mims tying the game at 24. Giants scored another field goal, but Streveler gained the lead in the final 27 seconds of the game.  He completed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Jackson in the end zone for the winning score.

“It’s always exhilarating when you have an opportunity to go down and put a two-minute drive together and that type of stuff,” Streveler said about the challenge of going into the game when the team is behind. “There’s no hero in the game. It’s everyone making plays.”

“I’m really pleased with how the defense came out today, especially in the first half,” Saleh said.

The Jets now get ready for their first game of the regular season on Sept. 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco’s former team when he won Super Bowl XLVII. “I’ve seen people go through it before and from what I’ve experienced it’s usually pretty emotional for that player,” Flacco said about the upcoming meeting.

Coach Saleh said he felt the team got enough work during preseason and he was not overly concerned about the mishaps during the game.  He said making cuts is miserable and the worst part of the job and the game, but it’s necessary.