DETROIT — The Jets were all sorts of bad in their 23-3 loss to the Lions Thursday night in—all together now—a preseason opener.
The starting defense played two series and gave up a touchdown and a field goal. The first-team offense played just one series with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick; they managed a field goal for their only points before Fitzpatrick handed the keys to rookie Bryce Petty the rest of the way. All told, the Jets were outgained, 428 yards to 123, and they managed just six first downs to the Lions' 26.
"I'm not concerned," Bowles said. "It's the first preseason game. We've got a lot of tackling to do. If the first group had played all game on both sides of the ball and we got killed like that, I'd be a little more concerned. If this was the third preseason game, we'd be a little bit concerned. But we've got a lot of work to do."
Let's break down who played well and who didn't.
STUDS
RB Chris Ivory: Ivory pounded out 25 yards on six carries during the first-team offense's opening drive, and he ran with the controlled fury that defines his approach, which seems to savor drawing contact. It's obvious Ivory's still got it. Wisely, Bowles didn't leave Ivory in beyond that.
DE Sheldon Richardson: Richardson only played a few series with the backups, but he made his presence felt in short order by absolutely pummeling one of the Lions' backup offensive lineman. If anything, Richardson showed what the Jets will be missing once he's forced to serve his suspension for the first four weeks of the regular season.
CB Marcus Williams: Battling for a roster spot, Williams was credited with four tackles, two passes defensed, and an interception. At camp earlier in the week, Williams got reps as the backup nickel. There are still more than two weeks until roster cuts, but Williams making it difficult for the coaches to ignore him.
DUDS
ILB Demario Davis: Davis got juked out of his shoes by Ameer Abdullah, the Lions' shifty rookie running back. But Davis was also beaten badly on a catch by Lance Moore, and on Golden Tate's 35-yard touchdown catch, Davis and safety Marcus Gilchrist had what Bowles described some kind of miscommunication that allowed Tate to both catch the ball and to scurry into the end zone.
S Marcus Gilchrist: Gilchrist had that aforementioned mix-up with Davis on the Tate touchdown, but he also got whistled for illegal hands to the face during Abdullah's sensational 45-yard run.
WR Walter Powell: In the third quarter, Powell attempted to let a punt bounce into the end zone. But as he engaged with a Lions player who had raced downfield, he put himself in position to have the ball knocked right to him as the Lions tried to prevent the punt from reaching the end zone. Powell had no choice but to catch the ball, at which point he was trapped inside the 5-yard line, where the Jets took over.
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/08/jets_studs_and_duds_vs_detroit_lions_include_chris.html
