- Jets RB Breece Hall had a major rushing game after throwing for 177 yards
- During the offseason, Payton was extremely critical of Hackett’s coaching.
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The New York Jets earned a 31-21 road victory over the Denver Broncos in what amounted to a revenge game for offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett.
New York received a major boost from the work of second-year running back Breece Hall, who rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
The Jets defense also had a solid, albeit sloppy, performance, limiting Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to just 196 passing yards. Wilson, however, had two touchdown catches and 49 rushing yards, although it wasn’t enough to lead Denver to the victory.
Before the game, much attention was paid to the coaching battle in Sunday’s contest, after Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Hackett may have been “one of the Worst Coaching Jobs in NFL History.
Hackett spent last season as head coach of the Broncos, but was fired after 15 games as Denver finished the year with a disastrous 4-11 record.
The New York Jets picked up a huge 31-21 road victory against the Denver Broncos.
Jets running back Breece Hall had a major rushing game after racking up 177 yards
During the offseason, Payton was extremely critical of Hackett’s coaching as coach of the Broncos.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was one of Hackett’s biggest defenders over the summer when Payton’s comments first went viral and was quick to shout out his coordinator for the win once the match ended.
‘W. #hackett❤️ #’ Rodgers tweeted just minutes after the final whistle.
Jets starter Zach Wilson – replacing the injured Rodgers – completed 19 of 26 passes for 199 yards before being intercepted by Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II deep in Denver territory with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos’ attempt to complete the rally was thwarted after Wilson was sacked by Quincy Williams, with Bryce Hall scooping up the loose ball and sprinting 39 yards for a touchdown.
Zuerlein had kicks of 30, 26, 27, 22 and 49 yards to help the Jets (2-3) end a three-game losing streak.
Denver rookie Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 68 yards and added three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown with fellow running back Javonte Williams (quad) inactive for the contest.
Russell Wilson went 20 for 31 for 196 yards and threw two touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to tight end Adam Trautman, for the Broncos (1-4).
With Denver leading 13-8, Hall ran up the middle and moved to his right before leaving defenders in his dust and reaching the end zone just 1:31 into the second half.
Injured Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was quick to shout out Hackett on X after the win
Jets offensive tackle Mehki Becton celebrates with Hackett as the two leave the field
Zuerlein added the ensuing extra point and converted three field goals to extend New York’s advantage to 24-13 with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter.
Trautman’s touchdown run and Michael Burton’s two-point conversion cut the deficit to three points with 4:44 remaining.
Zuerlein’s 30-yard field goal gave New York its first first-quarter points this season.
McLaughlin capped the ensuing Broncos drive with a 22-yard touchdown run off a screen. McLaughlin first moved the ball before heading to the goal line for his second receiving touchdown in as many weeks.
The Jets cut their deficit in half to 7-5 with 4:24 left in the first quarter after Russell Wilson was whistled for intentionally failing in the end zone.
Wil Lutz sandwiched field goals of 23 and 22 yards around Zuerlein’s 26-yard kick in the second quarter to extend the Broncos’ advantage to 13-8 at halftime.