The Panthers got into the endzone late to cap off another wholly unspectacular preseason game.
The Carolina Panthers struggled offensively as they lost to the New York Jets, 15-12.
First Quarter
The first quarter, and really most of the first half, was another showcase of both team’s punters. The Panthers struggled to get out of their own way on the opening drive and had a pair of penalties derail it. Jonathan Mingo had a nice catch and run on a bubble screen on 3rd down that was called back by an offensive pass interference on a downfield block that didn’t make much of a difference on the play. The Panthers were able to manufacture a field goal drive on their second possession thanks in part to a nice chunk play to Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Second Quarter
A whole lot of nothing happened in the second quarter. The Panthers were able to pick up modest gains on the ground, but the ineffectiveness of Jack Plummer in the passing game hamstrung the offense from picking up any sort of momentum.
Meanwhile the Jets were able to chew up the last nine minutes of a half with a nickel and diming drive that stalled out just inside the red zone. They knocked home the field goal to make it 3-3 at the half.
Third Quarter
The Jets started the second half in Panthers territory after a big kickoff return (that’s why they changed the rules). The defense picked the special teams unit up though and limited the Jets to their second field goal.
The Panthers again responded with nothing thanks to penalties that undid any positive play they had. But they were bailed out after a punt. Demani Richardson ran down an errant Aidan Martinez deep ball and ran it back to the fringe of the red zone. The Panthers went nowhere and kicked a field goal to tie the game. The Jets were able to capitalize on more bad special teams—this time Eddie Pineiro missed the landing zone and put the Jets on the 40 yard line. It took just one short pass with a missed tackle to run the Jets into long field goal range, which is where they stalled out and kicked their third field goal of the game.
Fourth Quarter
The Jets set themselves up inside the 10 early in the fourth quarter after Martinez miraculously escaped from a facemask within a collapsing pocket to find a receiver deep on the sideline. Still, the defense held the Jets to a field goal thanks to a diving, touchdown saving pass breakup by Lamar Jackson on 3rd down.
Jake Luton took over at quarterback in the fourth quarter. He found Jalen Coker for a quick first down then found Michael Strachan for a second on a back shoulder throw, but that play was nullified by an offensive pass interference on the receiver. They forced to punt, and the Jets drove back down the field for a game clinching field goal.
The Panthers went right back down the field for a touchdown as time expired, so at least that happened.
Summary
The Panthers looked good on defense again, but that’s not really saying a lot playing against an opponent’s backups. On that same token, the Panthers offensive backups have not been up to snuff. The blocking up front has been poor, and quarterback Jack Plummer has been too timid and slow to make decisions with the ball. It’s all made for some very boring an uneventful football games.
The Panthers will wrap up the preseason with a 1:00 game on a Sunday afternoon to help you practice your regular season routine.