WATCH: Three observations from Jets' preseason victory at Falcons
The New York Jets defeated the host Atlanta Falcons 22-10 on Thursday night in the second preseason contest of 2019.
The Jets sealed the victory with a pick-six by James Burgess with 1:25 remaining in the game. The Jets handed the Falcons their 11th consecutive loss in the preseason.
Sam Darnold guided the Jets to an opening touchdown drive for the second straight week, with Ty Montgomery capping it off with a one-yard rushing score.
Darnold went 5-for-7 for 46 yards. Montgomery rushed for 36 yards on seven carries. Robby Anderson tallied three receptions for 32 yards.
Luke Falk sparked the second-half comeback by completing all four of his passes, including the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
The Jets defense held the Falcons to 87 rushing yards and forced three turnovers.
Jets linebacker Avery Williamson left the game for good after sustaining a knee injury in the first half. Williamson collided with teammate Tevaughn Campbell. Williamson is a starter but remained with the backups to collect four tackles and a sack in 27 snaps prior to the injury.
Other injuries sustained were to linebacker Jamey Mosley (knee) and right tackle Brandon Shell (knee) who possibly suffered his injury in warmups. All will be undergo tests, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
Here's three observations from the contest:
1. Pass rush brings the heat
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams devised an excellent game plan to get pressure through the pass rush. The Jets forced five sacks total.
Three of those sacks came against Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan. Williams varied the approach to keep the Falcons on their toes. One sack was in six-man rush and the other two were in a four-man rush.
Jamal Adams, Avery Williamson, Anthony Wint, Brandon Copeland and Bronson Kaufusi each recorded sacks. This is an encouraging development for the Jets' defense and hopefully it can translate to when the regular season begins.
2. Burnett flashes playmaking ability
Deontay Burnett made a strong case for the No. 5 wide receiver spot with a nice showing on Thursday. Burnett is competing with Greg Dortch, Charone Peake and Tim White at wide receiver.
Burnett recorded two receptions for 24 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown reception with 11:38 left in the game to give the Jets the lead for good.
Burnett will have to continue to impress throughout the rest of preseason to be considered for the opening day roster but he definitely caught the eye of the coaching staff vs. Falcons.
3. Bertolet uneven in debut
It was an up and down performance for new Jets kicker Taylor Bertolet in his first appearance.
Bertolet went only 1-for-3 on extra point attempts. However, in his lone field goal attempt, Bertolet connected from 49 yards out.
It was encouraging to see Bertolet drill a long field goal but those missed PATs had to give coach Adam Gase bad flashbacks of retired kicker Chandler Cantanzaro's misery from last week. Bertolet had a chance to solidify his status but instead uncertainty still looms at kicker.
