Matt Simms Throws First Touchdown Pass as a NY Jet

Jets fans might not have been smiling after Sunday night’s 37-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but locals might take some solace in backup quarterback Matt Simms’ performance.

The Franklin Lakes native scored the first touchdown pass of his NFL career Sunday after relieving starter Geno Smith, NorthJersey.com reported. Simms, a former star player at Don Bosco and son of football legend Phil Simms, threw a 13-yard scoring pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland, the report said.

Sunday marked the second game in which Jets Coach Rex Ryan replaced rookie starter Smith with Simms, a move that ESPN.com says could become a trend.

The sports website called Smith’s performance, “the worst game of the season by any quarterback. Smith was replaced by Matt Simms, marking the second straight loss in which the rookie finished the game on the bench. That's not a good thing. No doubt, there will be cries for Rex Ryan to start Simms.”

Simms has told reporters that he is happy getting some pro experience in at the close of the team’s last two losing games, Sunday’s, and a 49-9 loss to the Bengals on Oct. 27.