Bortles, Jags start fast; backups lead Jets to 17-13 win

“It’s been very evident to me, from the beginning of training camp, that he is going to be a big part of what we do, and he’s really improved as a receiver”, Fitzpatrick said after a 17-13 win over the Jaguars on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium in the Jets’ preseason opener.

Chris Ivory, who signed with the Jaguars in March after spending the previous three seasons with the Jets, scored from 1 yard out in the first quarter. He went 3-for-4 for 72 yards, orchestrating a 75-scoring drive capped by Bilal Powell’s 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. It came on the one-year anniversary of Smith’s locker-room altercation with IK Enemkpali, who broke his then-teammate’s jaw with a punch. The Jets ended with a 10-6 record but wasn’t enough to be in playoffs.

He would rebound in impressive fashion, however, completing a handsome touchdown pass to rookie Charone Peake with 27 seconds left in the first half.

On his second series, he threw two poor passes – the second almost was intercepted – drawing jeers and boos from the MetLife Stadium crowd.

Several starters for both teams sat out, including the Jets’ Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson, Matt Forte and Steve McLendon; and the Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey, Tashaun Gipson, Brandon Linder and Kelvin Beachum.

Bryce Petty was the third quarterback in the game-rookie Christian Hackenberg didn’t get a snap whether by plan or lack of time-and showed some strong improvement over the little glimpse we got of him last season. After not missing a single practice so far in training camp following knee surgery on May 22, the Jaguars made a decision to sit Ramsey out of the matchup for precautionary reasons. The fifth overall draft pick had surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee in May, but hasn’t missed any time during training camp.

About 30 minutes after his first professional game, first-round pick Darron Lee offered a blunt assessment of the National Football League experience.

“He gave up an explosive play and missed a tackle that tuned into an explosive [play]”, coach Todd Bowles said.

Rookie safety Doug Middleton had plenty of reason to smile after sealing a Jets win with an interception. Allen Robinson led in receiving with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in 80 catches while Allen Hurns had 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns in 64 receptions. Beachum, receiver Rashad Lawrence, running back Jonas Gray, defensive end Jonathan Woodard, center Luke Bowanko, guard Kadeem Edwards, receiver Shaq Evans and defensive tackle Sheldon Day didn’t even make the trip. The second-year kicker connected on both of his field goal attempts and made his lone extra point try.

The veteran Ross and rookies Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake, three wide receivers competing for roster spots, also made solid first impressions.

The temperature at kickoff was a toasty 94 degrees, with the heat index making it feel like 98.

Cornerback Aaron Colvin suffered a ankle sprain and was taken out of the game. S James Sample left in the second half with a right arm stinger.

Getting off to a fast start was also a top priority for the Jaguars and Bortles felt they were able to do that against the Jets. “We want to come out and be sharp with our operation in and out of the huddle, no mental errors, lining up correctly, shifts and motions, and all that”. “We didn’t have a ton of plays, so I wish we would’ve got something more”.