Jets hold on to thwart Falcons
A quarter-by-quarter look at the New York Jets’ 30-22 victory over the Falcons on Friday night at MetLife Stadium.
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: On the second play of the Falcons' first possession, Matt Ryan dropped a pass 10 yards into the flat to fullback Collin Mooney, who got behind Quinton Couples in coverage and raced up the field for a 60-yard gain. The Jets were flowing to the right look at some misdirection motion that allowed Mooney to slip out of the backfield to the other side.
Turning point: After the defense held the Jets to a three-and-out, Hester reversed field and got behind a wall of blockers on his way to a 59-yard return. Three plays later, Terron Ward scored on a 2-yard run to make it 14-0.
The takeaway: The Falcons received two big plays, one from an unlikely spot — the fullback.
Score: Falcons 14, Jets 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: Jets running back Chris Ivory broke up the middle of the Falcons' defense for a 33-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion made the score 14-10.
Turning point: On a first-and-10 from the 4-yard line, Falcons left guard James Stone whiffed on a block and Jets rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who was the sixth player taken in the NFL draft, two picks ahead of Vic Beasley, dropped quarterback T.J. Yates for a safety. The Jets used the play to rally.
The takeaway: The Falcons rotated quarterbacks, with Yates playing a series followed by Renfree. That didn't work. Both were spotty. The offense couldn't establish a rhythm, and the Jets' reserves were able to cobble together a lead. Yates was intercepted by Jamari Lattimore when he delivered a pass late to tight end Tony Moeaki with 1:02 left.
Halftime score: Jets 16, Falcons 14
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: Rookie quarterback Bryce Petty tossed a dart to DeVier Posey for a 13-yard touchdown pass with cornerback Dezmen Southward in coverage. The touchdown pass capped a eight-play, 57-yard drive that erased 5:24 off the clock.
Turning point: Falcons running back Jerome Smith fumbled, and New York safety Rontez Miles picked up the loose ball and scored from 57 yards out to put the Jets up 30-14.
The takeaway: The rotation at quarterback didn't get any better. Renfree had a three-and-out, and Yates picked up a first down before being stopped. Renfree took back over with 2:39 left in the period before Smith's fumble.
Score: Jets 30, Falcons 14
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: On fourth-and-8 from the Jets' 15, Yates found Nick Williams for a 14-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, Michael Ford scored from a yard out. Levine Toilolo caught a two-point conversion to make it a one-score game.
Turning point: Renfree took over and missed streaking Bernard Reedy on a potential touchdown pass and the Falcons were forced to punt with 6:23 left.
The takeaway: Not really sure who's ahead in the backup quarterback battle. Nothing was settled in this game.
Score: Jets 30, Falcons 22
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
