Although it was only a preseason game, it’s been a long time since Plaxico Burress stepped on an NFL field. It’s also been seemingly forever since he scored a touchdown in an NFL game. Both happened Sunday night.
Burress hauled in his first score as a member of the New York Jets as his new team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-7, in a preseason battle. Mark Sanchez was efficient and productive, throwing for 173 yards on 12-of-20 passing in a half of work.
Sanchez looked sharp early, and on the first offensive play for the Jets he fired a laser to Burress for his first catch as a Jet. Although the first Jets drive stalled and resulted in a missed field goal by Nick Folk, the Jets offense was given great field position as Eric Smith intercepted Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton on the ensuing possession. One play later, Sanchez found a wide open Santonio Holmes from 16 yards to open the scoring.
Then, with the Jets leading 10-7 late in the second quarter, Sanchez and the Jets offense went 99 yards in just over four minutes, with the drive ending when Sanchez connected with Burress on a 26-yard touchdown strike. In all, Burress caught three passes for 66 yards. Tight end Dustin Keller led the Jets in catches with four for 74 yards.
The other Jets touchdown was scored by tailback Joe McKnight, a three yard touchdown reception from Greg McElroy. The Jets are next in action on Saturday when they take on the Giants, in a preview of the teams’ Christmas Eve matchup.