Cat Scratch Reader
The Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Jets in an ugly football game. But a win is a win is a win, and the Panthers now have a winning record.
The Panthers won the toss and deferred their possession to the second half. The Jets, who have been a good returning team this season, ran the ball back out close to midfield. The Jets picked one first down, but the defense did a good job of stopping it there. The Jets ended up in between a comfortable field goal and a punt, so they went for it on a 4th and 5. Justin Fields looked for Josh Reynolds on a quick slant, but the Panthers had it covered well, and there was nowhere for the ball to go.
Chuba Hubbard got the start and had a few modest carries. Bryce Young was able to keep the drive alive with completions to Tetairoa McMillan and Jimmy Horn Jr. The drive ended after a third down shot to the endzone couldn’t find anyone, so the Panthers had to settle for a Ryan Fitzgerald field goal.
The Jets second possession was just as anemic as the first. They picked up one first down and quickly were forced to punt.
The second quarter started with the Panthers trying to pick up a 4th and 1 at midfield. They handed the ball to Rico Dowdle up the middle, but the Jets bottled it up and got the stop.
An unfortunate roughing call for a barely-late hit on a sliding Justin Fields quickly moved the Jets into field goal range. The defense responded by handling most plays that weren’t aided by officiating and then benefited from a Jets illegal shift penalty. That set up a third and long that was blown up by pressure and a near sack. Nick Folk kicked the tying field goal.
Another Panthers drive stalled out at midfield, but this one ended in a punt. The Jets did the same and punted it right back to the Panthers at about the same spot. One of the weakest offensive pass interference calls on Xavier Legette made it 1st and 20. Bryce Young overthrew a wide open Jimmy Horn and then couldn’t get the ball out to Jalen Coker on a deep out to make it 3rd and long. A screen to Legette went nowhere, and the punt fest continued.
That punt fest was finally broken went Dave Canales elected to go for it on 4th and 3 around midfield again. This time, Young found McMillan in the middle for the conversion. A screen pass to Chuba Hubbard found no resistance, and the back ran it down to the five. On the next play, Young bought time outside the pocket for long enough that Legette got open for a short touchdown completion. The Jets did their usual conservative attempt to gain yards before the half, much to the dismay of the home
Trevor Etienne ran...
