Report card: Jets lose 24-16 vs. Buccaneers in preseason opener
Here is Jets Wire's report card following the preseason opening loss to the Buccaneers.
The New York Jets suffered a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their preseason opener at MetLife Stadium. Quarterback Geno Smith did not participate due to ankle soreness, with Cade Klubnik taking over most of the first half. Klubnik successfully led the offense, connecting on two scoring drives and forming a good rapport with rookie receiver Garrett Wilson.
However, the Jets' backup quarterbacks struggled significantly, with Bailey Zappe throwing two interceptions that shifted the momentum in favor of the Buccaneers.
Klubnik finished with 52 passing yards and no turnovers, while Brady Cook stepped in for the second half and contributed two field goals. The running game showcased talent with Braelon Allen's 44-yard touchdown run and solid contributions from Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. The Buccaneers' defensive line shut down the Jets' rushing attack, allowing only 91 yards.
Defense-wise, the Jets' pass defense was subpar, allowing the Buccaneers to complete 12 of 20 passes for 72 yards. Connor Bazelak, the Buccaneers' starter, performed adequately, while the Jets' backups struggled against Tampa Bay's offensive line. On the ground, the Buccaneers' running game, led by Josh Williams, was efficient, scoring both rushing touchdowns.
The Jets' special teams performed adequately, with successful field goal attempts from Cade York and Jason Sanders, and Jamaal Pritchett's 32-yard return. Overall, the coaching performance was average, with some awkward exchanges and missed opportunities on botched plays. Despite some positive moments, the Jets' performance fell short of expectations, leaving the team uncertain about their future prospects.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
