Jets Fall 17-12 To Panthers
The New York Jets continued their preseason in dismal fashion on Sunday night losing to the Carolina Panthers 17-12 unable to score a touchdown for the third straight game. The Jets were inside the 10 twice, each time settling for a field goal.
The Panthers got on the board in the opening drive settling for an Olindo Mare field goal after a 13 play 60 yard drive. The Jets answered on their first drive with a Nick Folk field goal after a 6 play 46 yard drive.
The Jets kicked four total field goals in the game, two in the second quarter and one more in the third. The Panthers grabbed the lead right before half time scoring after Mark Sanchez threw a costly interception to cornerback Captian Munnerlynn on a pass intended for Stephen Hill. Munnerlyn returned it to the Jets 31. Cam Newton was then able to manufacture a 5 play 31 yard drive capped off by a 3 yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy. Newton played the whole first half and finished going 6 of 15 for 60 yards and rushed for 16 yards on two carries.
Mark Sanchez played two and a half quarters went 11 of 18 for 123 yards. In the third quarter with good field position thanks to a Laron Landry interception on a Derek Anderson pass Tim Tebow got his first shot of the night. Tebow led the Jets down to the Carolina 8 yard line on a 9 play 22 yard drive, then threw two incomplete passes and settled for a Nick Folk field goal.
In the fourth quarter Tebow finally got Jets fans on their feet scrambling on a 3rd and 16 for a 20 yard run weaving through Panther defenders. Two plays later however Tebow threw a pick to Reggie Smith on a pass intended for Dedrick Epps.
In the fourth quarter down 10-9 Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson was able to put together 9 play 72 yard touchdown drive. The drive started with a long 43 yard pass down the right side to tight end Gary Barnidge and ended with a 1 yard touchdown pass to Gary Barnidge.
The Jets offense did not necessarily play awful racking up 290 yards total, but scoring touchdowns just seems too challenging for them. The defense which does not seem to be an issue only allowed 244 total yards had two sacks and seemed to hold Cam Newton in check for the most part.
The Jets will play one final preseason game before the season opener home against Buffalo. The Jets will meet the Eagles on Thursday at 6:35 at Lincoln Financial Field.