The Jets improved to 2-0 in the preseason, winning a tight and low-scoring affair, 15-12, against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, Saturday night.

The Green & White put on a defensive clinic with a dominant performance from the outset. Second-year pass rusher Will McDonald, a first-round pick in 2023, flashed with his first sack of the preseason while backup K Austin Seibert and CB/returner Brandon Codrington had strong special teams contributions to propel the visitors.

"Will can rush the passer, we are not worried about it," HC Robert Saleh said. "But for him to get a sack tonight on his inside move it was pretty cool. He plays to a high standard and is getting better everyday. I look forward to him getting more opportunities."

Rookie QB Jack Plummer, undrafted out of Louisville, started for Carolina and got the game's scoring going late in the first quarter. After a pair of penalties by the Jets allowed the Panthers to reach the Green & White 's territory, newly converted CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse came up with a pass defense in the endzone. The stop resulted in a 35-yard field by former Jets K Eddy Pinero.

Early in the second quarter, McDonald used his patented spin move to beat Panthers RT Ricky Lee and dropped Plummer for a sack on third down. The Iowa State product also had one of the Jets' 6 tackles for loss as they held the Panthers to 156 total yards and 3-of-11 on third down.

Backup QB Tyrod Taylor suited up but was the emergency third quarterback while 31 Jets regulars did not play sat. Andrew Peasley, a rookie signal-caller out of Wyoming, began the game day under center.

Peasley got the ball to the Jets' rookie RB duo, Braelon Allen, a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin, and Isaiah Davis, a South Dakota State pick taken in the fifth, early on. Allen touched the ball 10 times in the first half with 8 carries for 29 yards and 2 receptions for 12 yards, while Davis tacked on 14 yards on 4 rushes.

"All the backs really did have good run but there was a third-and-6 where Allen had a violent run where he moved the pile," Saleh said. "We picked him for a lot reasons, because he is actually really good as a route runner and in pass protection too and I think an all-around really good back."

Peasley's final drive of the night began right, before the end of the half. H, he meticulously led a 17-play 49-yard drive over 8:44 resulting in a 36-yard field goal by K Greg Zuerlein to tie the game, 3-3. He finished 7 of 11 for 33 yards, including a 6-yard completion to rookie WR Malachi Corley on fourth-and-1 to extend their only first-half scoring drive.

Codrington jump-started the second half with a 63-yard kickoff return to the Panthers 32-yard line. After a 12-yard carry by RB Israel Abanikanda, the offense stalled and settled for 38-yard field goal by Seibert to take a 6-3 lead.

"I just saw green grass," Codrington said of his long return. "My coach has been preaching cut back and I just trusted him, my teammates and the blocking. I just saw it open up."

He added: "I feel excited. I feel great about what I was able to showcase [Saturday]."

QB Adrian Martinez took the Jets home playing the entire second half. He bounced back from a third quarter interception that led to the game-tying field goal for Carolina, leading a pair of field-goal drives. Building on a 31-yard punt return to by Codrington early in the fourth, Martinez produced a Houdini act, escaping pressure and, despite a facemask penalty against the Panthers, completed a 24-yard pass to WR Lance McCutcheon. The long completion led to a field goal by Seibert to extend the lead to 12-6.

Seibert kicked a perfect game going 4 of 4, with converting from 24, 38, 45 and 52 yards. Martinez ended the night 7-for-17 passing for 67 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

The Panthers tacked on a touchdown late with a 2-yard carry by Dillon Johnson to cut the lead to 15-12 as time expired. Johnson finished the day with a solid 18 attempts for 83 yards (4.6 yards per carry).

Jetcetera
The Jets did not dress 31 regulars (Full List Here) after Thursday's joint practice with the Panthers in Charlotte. …. CB Qwan'tez Stiggers began the game with a tackle for loss on the opening play. … TE Anthony Firkser flashed his speed with a 21-yard catch and run down the sideline that led to a field goal. … After a day off Sunday, the team will return to practice Monday at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. On Wednesday, they will host the Giants for a joint practice before the teams meet for prior to their preseason finale at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night.