The defense had the upper hand during the last few Jets' practices, and QB Justin Fields said on Tuesday it would be important for his unit to respond. The offense wasted no time in doing so on Thursday, as Fields led a clean and efficient 70-yard scoring drive to begin practice.

"Our offense didn't do a good job our last practice, and they come back this practice and do a good job," said HC Aaron Glenn, who has been emphasizing "emotional intelligence" and bouncing back from mistakes. "That's everything that we've been preaching, so I'm proud of those guys, how they came out."

The 70-yard drive began with a short completion from Fields to RB Breece Hall. Fields then handed off to Hall on the next play, who powered up the middle of the field for a first down. An incompletion to FB Andrew Beck followed, but Fields scrambled for nearly 20 yards and another first down on the ensuing play. RB Braelon Allen then picked up a yard before Fields found WR Garrett Wilson to move the chains again. Then on the 17-yard line, Fields fired a pass to Wilson who made a leaping catch in the end zone for the score.

"I was really impressed with the way our offense handled the first drive," Glenn said. "I thought Justin did a hell of a job. Getting guys in and out of the huddle, being in command of the offense, knowing exactly what we're trying to accomplish."

Glenn was also impressed with how QBs Brady Cook and Adrian Martinez were able to move the ball during the first team period. After a three-and-out by Cook and the offense, the QB took the field again and led a drive that was capped off with a field goal by Harrison Mevis.

Martinez then stepped in and connected with WR Jamaal Pritchett and RB Lawrance Toafili for short gains before firing a deep ball to WR Quentin Skinner, who was able to haul in the 44-yard pass. From the 6-yard line, Martinez handed off to RB Donovan Edwards for a 5-yard gain, and on the ensuing play, Edwards found the end zone.

"Our second and third group did some good things as far as moving the ball," Glenn said. "That's the one thing that we try to preach for the most part -- is patience, and let's make sure we're getting positive yards no matter what the situation is. And I thought our guys really did that."

Glenn said Thursday's practice was centered around creating competitive situations, and each unit shined at different moments throughout the day.

"Today's practice was probably one our crisper practices that we've had," Glenn said. … "Offense and defense -- both sides of the ball were jockeying for a position."

Defense Makes 'Splash Plays'
While the offense got off to a quick start, there was no shortage of impressive plays on the other side of the ball.

"Defensively, we made a number of splash plays, especially in the back end," Glenn said. "That group in the back end is doing a hell of a job. I look forward to them having a really good season. That's something we're going to hang our hat on."

During a move-the-ball period that began on the plus 25-yard line, Fields first targeted WR Garrett Wilson, but LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball was there and got his hands on the ball to prevent Wilson from making the catch. Two plays later, Fields targeted TE Jeremy Ruckert, and the ball hit his hands and deflected up in the air. CB Brandon Stephens was waiting nearby and plucked the ball out of the air for the interception.

"[It's been] very encouraging," CB Sauce Gardner said of the defensive backs generating turnovers. … "We always preach that in the secondary, in the room. So, it's contagious, always talking about it. And you get on the field and it's like, we see that ball, we need it."

Jetcetera
Following CB Brandon Stephens' interception, QB Justin Fields and the offense took the field from the plus 25-yard line again. After multiple handoffs to RBs Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis and Breece Hall, Fields found the end zone with his legs. … CB Bump Cooper had a pass defense of an Adrian Martinez pass intended for WR Tyler Johnson near the goal line. ... Edge Will McDonald IV, DL Tyler Baron, DL Payton Page and DL Kingsley Jonathan made some noise with strong QB pressure up front.

During a team period that began with the offense backed up on its 1-yard line, Allen found a hole for a big gain. … During a two-minute situational period at the end of practice, Harrison Mevis secured 3 points with a field-goal attempt that hit the left upright and bounced in. … DL Byron Cowart has an ankle sprain and is doubtful for Saturday's preseason game vs. the Packers.

McDonald and S Malachi Moore returned to practice Thursday. … WR Xavier Gipson (shoulder), DT Quinnen Williams (calf), LG John Simpson (back), TE Mason Taylor (high ankle sprain), QB Tyrod Taylor (knee), CB Azareye'h Thomas (shoulder) and DL Byron Cowart (ankle sprain) did not practice and are not expected to play in Saturday's preseason game vs. the Packers.

The Jets will have a walkthrough practice on Friday before opening preseason competition in Green Bay on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.