Marquee Matchup
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Jets defense
There has been plenty of talk about Sam Darnold now having the weapons around him in Carolina that he lacked with the Jets. McCaffrey is his Howitzer.
The do-it-all back was limited to three games last year because of multiple injuries — a high ankle sprain, shoulder and quadriceps. McCaffrey is now back and poised to regain the form he showed in 2019, when he became the third player in NFL history to go over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving, joining Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig.
Stopping McCaffrey is a giant task for the young Jets defense.
“I think it’s a collective thing, it’s going to take the entire defense,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “We’re going to have to play really sound, fundamental football. We’re going to have to set edges at all levels of defense, whether it be the D-line, linebackers, secondary. Then you get population to the ball and tackle really, really well. Assume that the guy that’s approaching is going to miss the tackle and assume that it’s going to take all 11 to get him down. That’s a good assumption, because a lot of times that’s what it takes. He’s a great player.”
Costello’s Call
Week 1 is tough to figure out. Funny things happen. Here’s one: I think the Jets can pull off the upset. The Jets get a lift from Robert Saleh in his first game, and Zach Wilson gets Jets fans giddy with a strong performance. Jets in a shootout.
Jets 38, Panthers 28
4 Downs
In This Corner
The Jets’ cornerbacks are so young that they can’t even rent a car. On Sunday, they’ll have to slow down a Panthers offense that features Christian McCaffrey, Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore. Head coach Robert Saleh would not say who will start opposite Bryce Hall after the team surprisingly cut Bless Austin at the end of training camp. Whoever it will be will be very young. Rookies Brandin Echols, Jason Pinnock and Isaiah Dunn were competing for the job along with second-year player Javelin Guidry.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said the Jets could be limited schematically because of their youth.
“I think that you got to be maybe simpler than you’d want to be, just from the standpoint, just let these guys execute at a high level, make sure that everybody is on the same page,” Ulbrich said. “We play hard, our technique, our physicality, our effort, all that comes to life. You have to really fight the urge to make schematic answers to problems sometimes because all those schematic answers might be the right thing to do schematically, it’s not the right thing to do by the way of a young group. Simpler is definitely better, early on, for these young guys.”
Davis’ Day
The Jets have a lot of new faces on their team. One prominent one is wide receiver Corey Davis, who was signed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal in March. He had career highs of 65 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns last year in Tennessee, where he was their No. 2 opposite A.J. Brown. Now, Davis must prove he can be a No. 1.
“I know that I’m a No. 1 receiver in this league. It’s great that [the Jets] saw that during free agency,” Davis said. “I’m ready for it. I’ve always thought of myself as a No. 1 receiver. I have to go out there and prove it to the league.”
Robby’s Revenge
Sam Darnold is not the only former Jet on the Panthers. Anderson will also get a chance to remind the Jets of what they let walk away. The Jets decided not to sign Anderson in free agency in 2020, and the Panthers pounced. He made them look smart last season with a career-high 95 catches for 1,096 yards.
“He’s someone that we’re going to get involved in the passing game now with Sam’s arm talent, just their connection, trying to make sure we get him the ball all across the field,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said.
Uh-Oh Line
The Jets’ biggest worry on offense is their line. The group had some major struggles in pass protection during training camp, particularly in joint practices with the Packers and Eagles. The Panthers have a strong defensive line and edge rushers Brian Burns and Haason Reddick pose potential problems for the Jets.
Second-year tackle Mekhi Becton did not have a strong training camp, and the coaching staff was unhappy with him midway through. He missed time with a concussion at the end of camp and his situation bears watching. Saleh declined to publicly announce who would start at right tackle between George Fant and Morgan Moses, who competed for the job in camp.