This weekend, the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles finished up a week of joint practices with their final preseason game. With most of the key starters sidelined, we got a good look at the guys who will be filling out the 53 man roster. And with that, three takeaways from the New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles game.
A Legit Group of Weapons
Everyone already knows about the talent of Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Elijah Moore and Keelan Cole. We have seen glimpses from guys like Ty Johnson and Michael Carter. But with most of these guys not playing on Friday, we got to see another crop of young and talented guys.
Jeff Smith and Kenny Yeboah were electric. Jeff Smith was making plays every time the ball touched his hands, and he finished with three rushes for 44 yards and two receptions for 16 yards. He was used mostly in the Jet sweep game, and he ran for three first downs. His receptions were both on screens, which he did the most he could with.
Kenny Yeboah, obviously, had the play of the night, but his final stat line was more impressive. He finished with 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, and looked like he could compete for the no. 2 tight end spot with Chris Herndon. Quietly, he was also great in the run game, especially on a Ty Johnson touchdown run at the end of the third quarter. Lawrence Cager also flashed, as did Vyncint Smith and Josh Adams.
C.J. Mosley is Important
C.J. Mosley was another starter who didn’t see the field on Friday, and his absence was felt. Jamien Sherwood, Blake Cashman and Hamsah Nasirildeen were the starting linebackers, and they really struggled. Joe Flacco diced them up with a bunch of quick hitters, and the Eagles run game was efficient. Sherwood was shaky in the tackling department, with a number of missed tackles, including one that sprung Boston Scott down the sideline for a long touchdown.
Part of the Eagles’ running game efficiency is partly to blame on the defensive line. Sheldon Rankins, Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers were all out as well, which surely made it harder for the three young linebackers. However, even without their starting defensive line, these rookies and Blake Cashman looked lost at times.
Consistently, they were missing assignments in the passing game, and the Eagles were moving the ball fairly easily. The Eagles eventually moved to more of a screen heavy passing game, and their offense sputtered out. At the end of the day, its the preseason, but Mosley is really needed in this defense.
Finally! A Kicker!
Matt Ammendola is looking like the savior for the Jets kicking game.The Jets have been below average for the past few years in the kicking department, but in the preseason, he was 4/4 on field goals, including an impressive 54 yard field goal against the Green Bay Packers. He was 5/5 on extra points as well. The Jets released 2021 UDFA Chris Naggar after a shaky camp, and now it is Ammendola’s position to lose. With no other kickers on the roster, it looks like it will be hard to.
Regardless, Ammendola needs to stay consistent, as fans will be very quick to change their minds on him if he starts to struggle. The last time the Jets had a serviceable kicker was Jason Myers in 2018, but he is long gone and finding success in Seattle. Fans should be excited about Matt Ammendola.
Overall, the Jets had a good preseason, and looked a lot deeper than previously expected. The offense was able to move the ball, and the run game was surprisingly efficient. The defense struggled, but losing two of their better defenders should have that affect. Fans should be cautiously optimistic about this team going into 2021.