Maybe the New York Jets can still make something out of their 2023 campaign after getting a scrappy 20-14 win over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
The Jets are now on a two-game winning streak and have improved to a 3-3 record. It was also the first time they got a win over the Eagles in franchise history. Philly won all of their previous 12 games dating back to 1973.
The Jets were carried to the win by their offense, which forced four turnovers, including three interceptions. Arguably the most crucial defensive play came after the two-minute warning when the Eagles had the opportunity to close out the game by protecting a 14-12 lead.
Facing third-and-long, the Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts attempted a pass to tight end Dallas Goedert, but the ball ended up being intercepted by Jets’ safety Tony Adams. Adams returned the ball to Philly’s eight-yard line to set up a touchdown for his team.
The Eagles got the ball back with 1:46 left in the game but failed to make any progress, with the Jets’ defense once again coming through big.
Speaking at a press conference after the game, Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh credited his defense for the way they played so far in 2023.
“Through these first six weeks, we’ve played a gauntlet of quarterbacks,” Saleh said. “I know we haven’t gotten all wins, but we’ve embarrassed all of them.”
It seemed like the Jets’ season was over after they lost star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles injury in Week 1. But it appears that there is still some life in them and that they could make some real noise in the AFC if their defense continues to play at this level.
