DETROIT — The Jets did something normal on Thursday: They played a football game without incident or swirling drama. Alas, they opened the preseason in underwhelming fashion, losing by 23-3 to the Lions at Ford Field.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the new starting quarterback, played one series, completing 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards in leading the Jets on a 41-yard drive that culminated in a 34-yard field goal by Nick Folk. Bryce Petty, a rookie out of Baylor, took over at quarterback and played the rest of the game.
Despite the quick stint, Fitzpatrick assessed his start as a success.