Schwartz: Jets Are Back In Business
By Peter Schwartz
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If the Jets do go on to make the playoffs this season, it will be because of one moment on Sunday.
It won't be anything that happens from this point forward. All that would be irrelevant.
If the "x" gets put next to "Jets" in the AFC standings come January, symbolic of having clinched a wild card spot (because you can forget about the AFC East title), it will be because of some soul searching that was done at halftime of Sunday's 27-21 win over the Chargers at MetLife Stadium.
Not much went right for the Jets in the first half as they went to the locker room trailing 21-10. The defense had their issues getting off the field and the offense couldn't finish off drives, less the first of three Mark Sanchez touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress and a Nick Folk field goal.
While we're on the subject of Sanchez, can his detractors just shut up for a minute? I understand that he is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and may never reach their status -- but he wins games for the Jets and that's the bottom line.
And his performance on Sunday was clutch.
But before halftime, the Jets' season was in peril.
So with his team looking at their season blowing up, what did Rex Ryan say at the intermission?
"There was no panic," said Ryan. "There was no chewing anybody out. We have to get things to where we eliminate mistakes."
And that's exactly what happened.
The Jets defense pitched a second half shutout and the Sanchez-to-Burress combination completed a trifecta of scoring plays, including the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Darrelle Revis showed no ill effects from Friday's showdown with Mike Francesa on WFAN by dialing up another big interception and hanging the Chargers out to dry.
The running game certainly got on track as Shonn Greene rushed for 112 yards on 20 carries. It was Greene's fifth career 100-yard rushing game.
But let's be honest for a second. The Jets still have their share of issues. They were lucky that the Chargers committed a zillion penalties to help the cause. The offense still needs to find some consistency and maybe that finally clicked in during the second half.
The defense, at times, still allows teams to march up and down the field and that has to a concern for Ryan.
However, the bottom line is that the Jets have accomplished the mission set out after walking off the field in New England following their third straight loss.
They have won two in a row and enter the bye week at 4-3. The Jets are in a much better place than they were two weeks ago and now they get a chance to take a deep breath and enjoy some time off.
It's also imperative that the coaching staff does some self-scouting this week to try correcting the mistakes that continue to haunt the Jets.
The Jets are back in business. They are beginning to look like the playoff team that a lot of people thought they were.
We'll see what happens in two weeks!
JET LINERS
The Jets improve to 4-0 at home. They are now 9-3 at New Meadowlands Stadium/MetLife Stadium. So far this season, the Jets are giving up just 13.5 points per game at home.
For the second time this season, the Jets rallied from a double-digit deficit to win. They also did it opening night against Dallas.
Guard Brandon Moore played in his 119th game for the Jets and passed former center Kevin Mawae and into sole possession of 10th place on the Jets all-time list for games played by an offensive lineman. Moore is now four behind former center/guard Roger Duffy for 9th place.
Linebacker Aaron Maybin notched his third sack in four games since re-signing with the Jets.
Burress became the first Jet to score three touchdowns in a game since Thomas Jones did it on 11/9/08 against the Rams. He is the first Jet to record three touchdown catches in a game since Laveranues Coles hauled in three against the Cardinals on 9/28/08. Burress notched his first three-touchdown game since 9/9/07 at Dallas.
Nick Mangold caught the penalty bug in this game. In the first half, he drew a flag for ineligible man downfield that wiped out a Santonio Holmes touchdown catch. In the 2nd half, he committed a pair of holding calls on the same drive.
Tomlinson became the fourth running back in NFL history with 600 receptions. The others are Larry Centers, Marshall Faulk, and Keith Byars.
Nick Folk is now 10 for 10 on field goals this season has now converted 12 straight fourth quarter field goals.
DE Mike DeVito was inactive because of a knee injury so third round pick Kenrick Ellis made his first NFL start.
Newly signed WR Eron Riley was inactive.
Gil Ramos performed the National Anthem. He was the winner of the Jets annual anthem contest.
Sunday marked the Jets' annual Fan Appreciation Day. The team put together a lineup of contests, giveaways, and activities.
REVIS RESPONDS
On Friday, Darrelle Revis made news both locally and nationally during his interview with Mike Francesa on the FAN. Mike was insisting that he committed pass interference on his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown last Monday night against Miami -- but Revis disagreed.
The conversation was heating up when Jets Media Relations Director Jared Winley got on the line and instructed Revis to hang up the phone. Revis obliged.
After Sunday's win over the Chargers, Revis not only discussed his latest big pick, but the interception that created a Big Apple stir for several days.
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THE WEEK AHEAD
The Jets have their bye week. After a few days off, the team will return to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center next Monday to begin preparations for their next game. That will be on Sunday November 6th against the Bills in Orchard Park.
JET FANS SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE
On Sunday, the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) and the Atlantic Health Jets Women's Organization (AHJWO) hosted Lupus Awareness Day. Volunteers and the ALR staff distributed ALR-branded reusable shopping bags and collected donations from fans as they entered the stadium. Jets fans are also encouraged to text LUPUS to 85944 to donate $10 to support Lupus research.
That's all for now. Enjoy the bye week! Make sure that you follow me on Twitter @pschwartzwfan.
Your thoughts on the Jets' win over the Bolts? Let Schwartz know in the comments below...
