NFL

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers

· National Football League
2-0, 1-0 Away
Final
15 - 12
0-2, 0-1 Home

Codrington's big returns and Seibert's 4 field goals help Jets defeat Panthers 15-12

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound undrafted rookie from tiny North Carolina Central returned a kickoff 63 yards and a punt 31 yards to set up scores and the Jets beat the Carolina Panthers 15-12 on Saturday night in a game in which both teams rested almost all of their starters and several key reserves.

Austin Seibert kicked four field goals, including a 52 yarder, and Greg Zuerlein added another for the Jets.

“I'm still trying to make the team,” said Codrington, who grew up in Raleigh cheering for the Panthers. “I feel like this definitely helps my ability to make it, or at least make another team. Because right now I'm trying out for all 32.”

Codrington’s 63-yard kickoff return to start the second half came with the NFL’s new kickoff rules in place. He broke through the initial line of defense before being tracked down from behind.

Later, he fielded a punt near the right sideline, reversed field and avoided tacklers before turning up for a big play.

His effort caught the eye of Jets coach Robert Saleh.

“He definitely seized his opportunity,” Saleh said. “I think for both teams, he was the most productive player. He set up a couple of scoring drives. But that is what he is here for. We brought him in because of his return ability and I think he did a really nice job.”

The Jets' Aaron Rodgers and Panthers' Bryce Young sat out after both received extensive snaps during a joint practice Thursday, which got heated at times. The primary backup QBs — New York's Tyrod Taylor and Carolina's Andy Dalton — also sat.

That gave the sparse crowd at Bank of America Stadium a long look at a pair of rookies starting at quarterback, with Andrew Peasley for the Jets and Jack Plummer for the Panthers. And both struggled.

Peasley played the entire first half and finished 7 of 11 for 33 yards and was sacked once. His fourth drive was his best, moving the Jets 49 yards in 17 plays to set up a 36-yard field goal by Zuerlein to tie it at 3 before halftime.

Adrian Martinez, the UFL MVP last season, played the second half for the Jets and overcame an interception that led to Eddy Pineiro's second field goal before leading three scoring drives.

“We just wanted to take a good look at the rookies, and we will probably flip it next week,” Saleh said. “But one thing is for sure is the game isn't too big for either one of them. I think they showed good playmaking ability with their feet and Martinez showed he can throw off schedule and throw with accuracy.”

Plummer played into the fourth quarter for Carolina and was held to 42 yards on 11-of-18 passing. His best play came on a third-and-27 when he managed to shrug off a Jets defender draped all over him to avoid a 10-yard loss and shoveled the ball ahead to Dillon Johnson for a 5-yard gain.

Carolina running back Dillon Johnson scored on a short run on the final play for the game's only touchdown after the Panthers focused on the running game despite being down by nine.

“We just wanted to give our guys an opportunity to feel what it feels like to run the ball late in the game,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “In my mind, we are imagining this four-minute world and, ‘Can we finish with the ball?’”

Canales was noncommittal on whether Young would play in the preseason finale after sitting out the first two preseason games. He said it could depend on how many other starters are healthy because ideally he wants the entire first unit healthy and to be able to play together.

SITTING OUT

The Panthers rested 38 players; the Jets 32.

INJURIES

Jets: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (groin) and WR Irvin Charles (hip) left in the first half and didn't return.

Panthers: CB Anthony Brown (thumb) and LB Tae Davis (foot) left in the second half and didn't return.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host the New York Giants next Saturday.

Panthers: At Buffalo next Saturday.

How can I watch Jets vs. Panthers?

  • TV Channel: Jets at Panthers 2021-22 NFL, week 3 is broadcasted nationally on NFL+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Jets vs. Panthers on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CAR FG 1st Period 2:42 Eddy Pineiro 35 Yd Field Goal
NYJ FG 2nd Period 0:14 Greg Zuerlein 36 Yd Field Goal
NYJ FG 3rd Period 13:14 Austin Seibert 38 Yd Field Goal
CAR FG 3rd Period 4:29 Eddy Pineiro 34 Yd Field Goal
NYJ FG 3rd Period 1:08 Austin Seibert 52 Yd Field Goal
NYJ FG 4th Period 12:47 Austin Seibert 24 Yd Field Goal
NYJ FG 4th Period 3:05 Austin Seibert 45 Yd Field Goal
CAR TD 4th Period 0:00 Dillon Johnson 2 Yd Run

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/nyj.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNYJ https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/car.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCAR
14 1st Downs 12
4 Passing 1st downs 4
7 Rushing 1st downs 6
3 1st downs from penalties 2
4-14 3rd down efficiency 3-11
1-2 4th down efficiency 0-0
57 Total Plays 47
202 Total Yards 156
3.5 Yards per Play 3.3
9 Total Drives 10
85 Passing 56
14/28 Comp/Att 13/20
2.9 Yards per pass 2.7
1 Interceptions thrown 0
1-15 Sacks-Yards Lost 1-5
117 Rushing 100
28 Rushing Attempts 26
4.2 Yards per rush 3.8
0-2 Red Zone (Made-Att) 1-3
7-70 Penalties 10-84
1 Turnovers 0
0 Fumbles lost 0
1 Interceptions thrown 0
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
31:58 Possession 28:02
Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Austin Corbett, C Questionable Mar 8
Trevin Wallace, LB Questionable Feb 25
Xavier Legette, WR Questionable Feb 25
Chau Smith-Wade, CB Questionable Feb 10
DJ Johnson, LB Questionable Feb 10
New York Jets New York Jets Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Irvin Charles, WR Questionable Mar 28
Greg Zuerlein, PK Questionable Feb 11
Jordan Travis, QB Questionable Feb 11
Marcus Riley, WR Questionable Feb 11
Jermaine Johnson, LB Questionable Feb 11

Game Information

Bank of America Stadium

Location: Charlotte, NC
Attendance: 71,205 · Capacity:

2024 AFC East Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Buffalo 13 4 .765 0 525 368
Miami 8 9 .471 0 345 364
New York 5 12 .294 0 338 404
New England 4 13 .235 0 289 417

2024 NFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Tampa Bay 10 7 .588 0 502 385
Atlanta 8 9 .471 0 389 423
Carolina 5 12 .294 0 341 534
New Orleans 5 12 .294 0 338 398
Full Standings

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