Jets struggle without Rodgers, fall to Cowboys 30-10

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson looks to pass during the first half against the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame NFL football preseason game Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

The first game without Aaron Rodgers may have gone as expected for the New York Jets, but it wasn’t for the reason many fans were worried about. 

Dak Prescott carved up the Jets’ defense on third down and had plenty of scoring drives while Zach Wilson played well, but not well enough as the Cowboys moved to 2-0 over New York by a 30-10 final. 

Dallas made quick work of New York’s vaunted defense by going on a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive which ended in a Prescott score to Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys were faced with a third-and-six on the drive, but Prescott had a key 15-yard run to move the chains. 

From there, the relentlessness of the Cowboys’ defense was evident. It took the Jets an entire first quarter to record a first down, and that came on a fake punt conversion. The offensive line failed to protect Wilson early and often, while the play-calling was focused more on surviving Dallas, than beating them. 

Things began to settle down for the Jets offensively once the second quarter rolled around. Wilson found reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson for a 68-yard touchdown and drove the offense the length of the field before the half for a field goal. The two scoring drives were helped thanks to Wilson’s legs and gave confidence for New York’s plans at the position in 2023.

New York didn’t have an answer for Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense though. Dallas’ quarterback went 21-26 in the first half with CeeDee Lamb connecting for seven of those catches and over 100 yards. The Cowboys took an 18-10 lead into the half. 

A Micah Parsons forced fumble on Dalvin Cook sunk the Jets’ offensive chances in the second half. Dallas netted three field goals while the Jets’ offensive line crumbled amidst the…