FLACCO ANSWERS JETS QUESTION: NO, HE’S NOT UP TO FILLING IN FOR ZACH WILSON
By Max Harper
Joe Flacco threw a pick-6 and the Jets’ offensive starters mostly struggled while playing into the second quarter against mainly Giants defensive backups in a 31-27 victory.
“You could see this was a necessary evil to get these guys out on the football field so they could play together,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I’m not concerned.”
Flacco, likely to open the regular season at quarterback for the injured Zach Wilson, made his preseason debut and finished 7 of 12 for 76 yards and had an interception returned for a touchdown by Austin Calitro in his four series. The Jets’ five starting offensive linemen also played together for the first time.
Jets fourth-stringer Chris Streveler led his third straight fourth-quarter winning drive. Marching the Jets (3-0) down the field in the waning moments, he found a wide-open Calvin Jackson Jr. for a go-ahead 5-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left.
Streveler, a former CFL quarterback who had three previous NFL stints, was 10 of 13 for 96 yards and two TDs.
“He’s probably had one of the greatest preseasons in the history of football,” Saleh said. “It’s awesome.”
While Saleh opted to give his starters on offense and defense some action, the Giants’ Brian Daboll went with about half his starters on defense and none of his skill players on offense.
Tyrod Taylor started at quarterback for the Giants (2-1) with starter Daniel Jones held out, but was carted from the sideline in the first quarter with a back injury. Taylor took a big hit from Jets rookie Micheal Clemons after completing a 25-yard pass to rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger.
“He should be OK,” Daboll said of Taylor. “I don’t think there’s anything. He just landed hard and I talked to him at halftime.”
Taylor was 2 of 4 for 29 yards and an interception and was replaced by Davis Webb, who led four scoring drives.
