It wasn’t the start to a new era the Jets were hoping for.
Rokkie quarterback Zach Wilson made it an interesting second half but time eventually ran out on his NFL debut. The Jets dropped their season opener against the Carolina Panthers, 19-14, Sunday in Charlotte.
It was the first half of this game which saw the Jets put themselves in an early hole. The offensive line struggled to keep Carolina’s pass rush in check. Wilson, for much of the half, was running for his life.
The Panthers and former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold took a 16-0 lead into halftime.
Much to the credit of the Jets, however, first-year head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich‘s defense came alive in the third quarter. Wilson was able to spark the offense enough to get Jets back into it. However, the difference in the game was Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, the Jets simply had no answer for the running back.
With McCaffrey’s help, the Panthers were able to hold off the Jets’ attempt for a comeback win.
Here are my takeaways from the season-opener for Gang Green:
Zach Wilson — the good, bad, and the ugly
In the first half of this game it was difficult grading Wilson’s performance in his NFL debut. The Jets repeatedly dialed up pass plays for Wilson, however the results were mixed.
We saw early signs of strong chemistry between Wilson and wide receiver Corey Davis. This should prove to be key for the Jets as the season progresses, especially with lingering questions about the tight end position.
Wilson’s performance in the second half, specifically the fourth quarter, is what fans should feel optimistic about. He took a beating in the game from Carolina’s defense, but he showed tremendous poise and toughness in the pocket.
Wilson has some gunslinger in him, and that’s going to lead to more than a few bouts with Alka-Seltzer for the fan base. What we do know of him, so far, is that he’s fearless.
O-Line has work to do
If Wilson’s the new face of the team and the franchise player, the Jets better figure out in a hurry how to protect their young quarterback. The offensive line had a bad day at the office.
Carolina brought the pass rush early and often to Wilson once it became clear the O-Line couldn’t stop them. Losing Mekhi Becton to a lower leg injury only made matters worse for the Jets. It remains to be seen how long Becton could be unavailable.
Injuries hit the Jets early and heavy
Becton left the game after getting rolled up on and could have suffered a serious knee injury. Losing Becton would be a major blow to an embattled offensive line.
The Jets also lost Lamarcus Joyner, Braden Mann, and Jamien Sherwood in this game.
Mann, the punter, went down with a left knee injury after his first attempt of the day. The Jets were forced to use rookie kicker Matt Ammendola on punts and he didn’t disappoint.
Sherwood left the game with a foot injury.
All key players in Saleh’s plans for this season.
Where was the run game?
It didn’t make the team flight to Charlotte, that’s for sure.
Before the game, Josh Adams and La’Mical Perine were ruled inactive for this week. The Jets didn’t get much out of the trio of Tevin Coleman, Michael Carter, and Ty Johnson (17 carries, 45 yards, combined).
Wilson’s going to need a run game to help him out this season. It’s up to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to get more from his ground game.
No answer for Christian McCaffrey
The two-time All-Pro looks like he’s back and better than when we last saw him. Carolina went to a heavy dose of McCaffrey early to set the tone.
When he wasn’t chewing up yards on the ground (21 carries, 98 yards) he was a mismatch in the passing attack (9 catches, 89 yards).
Ex-Jets have their day
Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson were supposed to be torturing opposing teams together in Jets’ green. They’re reunited in Carolina and showed their former employer what could’ve been.
Darnold hit Anderson for a 57-yard touchdown in the second quarter. It was a reminder of the home run threat Anderson brings to an offense.
Furthermore, Darnold’s now surrounded by talent on offense he simply didn’t have with the Jets. With Anderson, wide receiver D.J. Moore, and McCaffery — I’m expecting Darnold to excel this season.
Need to see more of Denzel Mims
We didn’t see Mims until late in the game when Wilson hit him for a 40-yard pass.
I was expecting to see Mims get increased playing time with receivers Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole out this week.
Mims had an inconsistent offseason, but showed enough last season he can make a difference for the offense. Wilson’s going to need all the help he can get this season, Mims will need to continue working his way back onto the radar for the coaching staff.
Bright spots on the Jets defense
Yes, there were a few.
The secondary for the Jets wasn’t terrible this week.
Rookies Brandin Echols and Michael Carter II held their own and the Jets will need to see more from them. Much was made during the week of veteran safety Marcus Maye not voted a team captain this season. Maye (8 tackles) might or might not feel a way about his current contract situation, but my intuition is he’ll be a strong leader for what’s a young secondary.
Image: Zach Wilson | Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Image: Robby Anderson | Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
