Jets football blog

Jets live to fight another day, beat Bills 28-24

When the Jets escaped with a wild 28-24 win over the Bills on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive, outside linebacker Calvin Pace delivered a healthy dose of reality for a team desperately trying to find its way.

“What if Plax didn’t make that play?” Pace said in a quiet moment in front of his locker. “Then, we’re sitting here looking stupid.”

On a day sprinkled with a classless touchdown celebration, a chorus of boos from an agitated fan base at MetLife Stadium and a bit of resilience from a maligned young quarterback, Plaxico Burress’ acrobatic one-handed catch on the Jets’ game-winning drive stole the show. Burress’ twisting grab on the pivotal third-and-11 help set up Mark Sanchez’s career-high fourth touchdown pass to help the Jets (6-5) snap their two-game losing streak and keep them in the wild card hunt.

“He saved our season,” Pace said. “He made a play. Somebody had to make one.” (continue)

Jets need six in a row, unlikey

Rex Ryan didn't dream the Jets would be facing their current plight.

After all, this was supposed to be the season the Jets were going to the Super Bowl, backing the coach's boastful claims. But after two straight defeats and having to simmer for 10 days before taking the field again following a gut-wrenching last-minute loss to the Broncos, the Jets (5-5) are staring at a daunting task.

With little margin for error given the AFC landscape, the Jets virtually must win each of their remaining six games, beginning with their divisional matchup against the reeling Bills (5-5) at Metlife Stadium Sunday.

It's a concept that would've seemed unfathomable to Ryan barely two weeks ago, when the Jets were riding high on their three-game winning streak.

"I'm surprised," he said. "No doubt. I never thought we'd be in this spot right now, but we are. So we can't do anything about it now. We have to win the rest of them. That's the mentality that we're taking." (continue)

Jets extend coordinators through 2012

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine are under contract through at least 2012, a team spokesman confirmed.

Each coach was quietly extended during the offseason.

Schottenheimer has been with the Jets since 2006, a holdover from Eric Mangini's staff. He has at times been a target of "Fire Schotty" chants from fans and is currently trying to invigorate an offense that ranks 22nd in the league. He turned his unit around late last season, as the Jets and Mark Sanchez got hot down the stretch for a run to the AFC Championship Game.

 

Sanchez feeling the heat

Heading into the half last week against the Broncos, Mark Sanchez led the Jets just past midfield. With 10 seconds remaining, it appeared they would spike the ball, run a quick play and try and secure a makeable field goal.

But instead, Sanchez faked the spike and whipped the ball out to an uncovered Dustin Keller, who was pounded at the line of scrimmage. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was on the sidelines, displeased.

"I was frustrated with (that) one for sure," Schottenheimer said. "He was trying to make a play, we were in a situation where we were calling to clock the ball. He saw that Dustin was uncovered and tried to kind of make a play to throw it out there and thought Dustin could steal a couple yards and get into field goal range. (continue)

Jets not ready for prime time, lose 37-16 to Pats

The Jets vowed this year would be different.

They planned to take control of the AFC East. They envisioned home playoff games. But when they had what LaDainian Tomlinson called “a perfect opportunity” last night, they squandered it.

The Jets’ 37-16 loss to the Patriots wasn’t a massacre like last December, but the outcome was the same: They were left looking up at their hated division rival in the standings, maddened by an opportunity wasted.

The Patriots, now 6-3, are alone atop the division and have essentially a two-game lead over the 5-4 Jets, by way of sweeping the season series. The Jets’ prospects to win the AFC East? “Doubtful,” an angry Rex Ryan said.

“It’s just tough because they beat us twice,” Ryan added. “We think we’re as good as they are, but clearly we’re not. We weren’t today, that’s for sure.” (continue)

 

Jets look to take control of AFC East

Rex Ryan repeats the adage to Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum every year. Mike Pettine and Dennis Thurman, Ryan’s trusted assistants, can also recite it in turn:

You lose games fastest at quarterback and cornerback.

Ryan wrote this into his defensive gospel during his coaching days in Baltimore. When Ryan was hired by the Jets, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome joked he was shipping him up I-95 with a sign “I need corners” around his neck.

It wasn’t far from the truth. Just five other teams in the league match the Jets’ total of 11 defensive backs on their roster, and only three others had 10 defensive backs active last weekend. Flexibility, depth and talent at that position drive the Jets’ defensive scheme and are necessary for this reality: The Jets play the rival Patriots, and their volatile spread offense, twice a year. (continue)

Plaxico is a go vs Pats

After a week where a handful of Jets missed a majority of practices, only two will be listed as questionable heading into Sunday.

TE Shawn Nelson (illness) and S Brodney Pool (knee) did not practice today and will be the two questionable players against the Patriots. Nelson was not seen out on the field today whereas Pool came dressed, working off to the side with the trainers.

All the rest of these players will be listed as probable: WR Plaxico Burress (low back), DB Antonio Cromartie (finger), DT Mike DeVito (knee), DL Marcus Dixon (shoulder), DT Kenrick Ellis (ankle), RB Shonn Greene (head, groin), WR Santonio Holmes (foot), T Wayne Hunter (finger), C Nick Mangold (ankle), LB Josh Mauga (low back), RB Joe McKnight (toe), OLB Calvin pace (groin), DT Sione Pouha (finger), G Matt Slauson (neck) and DB Isaiah Trufant (hamstring). (continue)

 

Jets D pounds Bills in 27-11 win

he Jets put themselves right back in the AFC East Sunday, riding a physically dominating defense to a 27-11 victory over the upstart Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It was as good as this team has looked all season as they head into next week’s first-place showdown against the Patriots, who dealt them their last defeat.

It was the third straight win for the Jets, who posted their first road win of the season against a Bills team that was 4-0 at home and averaging over 34 points per game. The teams are now tied at 5-3.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes and John Conner scored second-half touchdowns to break game open after offensive mistakes, including a pair of Mark Sanchez turnovers, kept it just a 3-0 Jets lead the half. (continue)

Shonn Greene is key to victory for Jets

Shonn Greene had reasons to feel anxious and question himself, to doubt his standing as Rex Ryan’s featured back.

Given the onus placed on the running game — a facet of the Jets that Ryan clings to dearly — Greene’s average of 39 yards per game through the first four weeks wasn’t cutting it.

His number of carries dropped to 10 in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens. LaDainian Tomlinson was waiting to pick up the slack.

An upheaval of the backfield was brewing.

“It’s hard to stay positive,” Greene said. “But being a running back as long as I’ve been, there’s going to be days like that. There’s going to be slumps here and there. When you get down on yourself, that’s going to be a problem. When you start worrying about other things, you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

So Greene said he remained focused on hitting holes. Ryan continued to feed him the ball, and his production has picked up since the debacle in Baltimore. Greene has rushed at least 20 times in the last three games, averaging 90 yards during that stretch — including a 112-yard effort against the Chargers two weeks ago.

Given the Jets’ recent history against the Bills, Greene figures to play a prominent role Sunday in Buffalo. The Jets averaged 279 rushing yards against the Bills in the four games since Ryan took over, a stat made more impressive by the 3-1 record and two victories on the road.

Greene ran for a season-high 117 yards last year at Ralph Wilson Stadium. (continue)