FanPost

Same Ol' Jets Back Again, Shut Down the Buffalo Bills.


There they are. The New York Jets look like the Jets of old. And that's a good thing. At the beginning of the season the Jets wanted to trade in their old game plan of ground and pound that worked for them the past couple of seasons, and switch it for more of a passing game. Well, that didn't work out too well. So the Jets went back to the basics. It worked against the Buffalo Bills this afternoon, as the Jets extended their winning streak to three games, beating the Bills 27-11 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Jets, who have been missing their identity for most of the season, returned back to a formula that has been successful for them in the past: Play smash-mouth football. Finally. What took so long, Rex?

Some quick notes from today's game:

  • The Jets who are known to have slow starts were at it again today, scoring a whopping three points in the first half.
  • Mr. GQ, Mark Sanchez, didn't start off well. Mark had a pair of first-half turnovers (one interception in the red zone and one fumble), but he overcame his mistakes and came back to play in the second half. He had a decent afternoon completing 20 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown.
  • The return of the ground and pound: Shonn Greene had a decent game and would have had over 100 yards rushing if it weren't for a holding call that returned a long run. He finished the game with 76 yards on 19 carries, averaging 4 yards per carry. Greene did not finish the game, after sustaining a head injury in the fourth quarter. Let's hope he makes it back in time for the showdown against the New England Patriots next week.
  • The Jets defense were able to shut down the Buffalo Bills high-octane offense: They held Fred Jackson to under 100 yards rushing, and held Fitzpatrick to 191 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. That touchdown pass came in garbage time, by the way.
  • Jets defense had two interceptions, one from Calvin Pace and the other from David Harris. Pouha forced Fred Jackson to fumble—Jackson's first of the season.
  • The Jets, who should be using TE Dustin Keller a lot more, decided to use him a bit, this game: Dustin Keller had four receptions for 64 yards. With Keller's athleticism, they should be using him a lot more.
  • Plaxico Burress wasn't kidding when he said he would work harder at running his routes better and forming some sort of chemistry with Mark Sanchez. Burress finished the game with five receptions for 79 yards, averaging 15.8 yards per reception. It wasn't the three touchdown performance he had last week against the Chargers, but he was still effective.
  • Former Bills' bust, Aaron Maybin, did not record his first sack in Buffalo, but he did pressure Fitzpatrick on some plays. He looks like a steal for the Jets so far: three sacks and three forced fumbles in four games played.
  • "The terminator" John Conner scored his first touchdown of his career and the season on a 1-yard run.
  • Hall of Famer, LaDainian Tomlinson, who hasn't had a rushing touchdown this season scored his first today on a 1-yard plunge.

Brad Smith, who?

Mr. versatile, who signed with the Bills this offseason, was a non-factor in today's game. While McKnight, who has filled in for Smith on special teams, has done a great job so far this season. Today was no different. McKnight produced a 59-yard return on one of the kickoffs, and had the chance to return it for a touchdown if it weren't for the Bills' kicker.

 

"Tone time"

Mr. Critic, himself, had a nice day with three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown. It's his fourth of the season. He has not had a touchdown reception since Week 6 against the Dolphins. Let's hope the Jets involve Holmes in the offense some more to avoid any further criticism by the captain. 

The Jets have a big game next week against the New England Patriots. The Pats beat them in their first meeting of the season in Foxborough. If the Jets can continue to build on their momentum, then next week's matchup against the Patriots can go in the Jets' favor.

Let's hope they can go back to being the same ol' Jets.

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