- Jets RB Breece Hall had a major game on the ground after picking up 177 yards
- During the offseason Payton was extremely critical of Hackett’s coaching
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The New York Jets picked up a 31-21 win on the road against the Denver Broncos in what amounted to a revenge game for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
New York received a major boost from the work put forth by second-year running back Breece Hall who picked up 177 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
The Jets defense also had a strong albeit sloppy performance as they held Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to only 196 passing yards. Wilson did however pickup two touchdown passes and 49 rushing yards although that was not enough to lead Denver to a victory.
Heading into the game lots of attention was paid to the coaching battle in Sunday’s contest, after Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Hackett was behind ‘one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL’ during the offseason.
Hackett spent last season as head coach of the Broncos but was fired after 15 games as Denver ended the year with a disastrous 4-11 record.
The New York Jets picked up a massive 31-21 win on the road against the Denver Broncos
Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett (left) gained revenge over Broncos HC Sean Payton (right) after he accused him of leading ‘one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL’ with Denver
Jets running back Breece Hall had a major game on the ground after picking up 177 yards
Injured Jets QB Aaron Rodgers was one of Hackett’s biggest defenders when Payton’s comments first went viral and was quick to shoutout his coordinator for the win.
‘W. #hackett❤️ #’ Rodgers tweeted out only minutes after the final whistle.
Jets starter Zach Wilson – who is filling in for Rodgers – completed 19 of 26 passes for 199 yards before he was intercepted by Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II deep in Denver territory with 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos’ bid 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 made kicks from 30, 26, 27, 22 and 49 yards to help the Jets (2-3) snap a three-game losing skid.
Denver rookie Jaleel McLaughlin rushed 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 tossed two touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to tight end Adam Trautman, for the Broncos (1-4).
With Denver nursing a 13-8 lead, Hall raced up the middle and shifted to his right before leaving defenders in his dust and reaching the end zone just 1:31 into the second half.
Jets injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers was quick to shoutout Hackett on X after the win
Jets offensive tackle Mehki Becton celebrates with Hackett as the two walk off the field
Zuerlein tacked on the ensuing extra point and converted a trio of field goals to extend New York’s advantage to 24-13 with 7:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Trautman’s touchdown and Michael Burton’s two-point conversion run trimmed the deficit to three points with 4:44 to play.
Zuerlein’s 30-yard field goal gave New York its first points in the first quarter this season.
McLaughlin capped the Broncos’ ensuing drive with a 22-yard touchdown catch off a screen. McLaughlin initially bobbled the ball before streaking toward the goal line for his second receiving touchdown in as many weeks.
The Jets halved their deficit to 7-5 with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter after Russell Wilson was whistled for intentional grounding in the end zone.
Wil Lutz sandwiched 23- and 22-yard field goals around a 26-yard kick from Zuerlein in the second quarter to extend the Broncos’ advantage to 13-8 by halftime.
