Jets Beat Buffalo To Remain In First

The AFC East playoff picture couldn’t be cloudier, but the New York Jets were able to clear things up a little bit Sunday afternoon at Giants Stadium.

The Jets defense was huge in Sunday's win over the Bills

The first-place Jets (9-5) knocked off the Buffalo Bills, 31-27, in a match-up between two divisional foes.  New York’s win keeps them tied atop the AFC East and also knocked the Bills (6-8) out of playoff contention.

“I’m proud of the way guys continually fought,” head coach Eric Mangini said. “We’ve got to find a way to get the win and we did.”

2 minutes, 6 seconds.

That’s how much time was left in the game, with the Jets trailing 27-24, when Bills quarterback J.P. Losman took the snap, and instead of handing off, he rolled right.  The Jets brought pressure and safety Abram Elam caught Losman from behind at Buffalo’s 16 yard line, knocking him to the turf and the ball out of his throwing hand.

Seeing the ball had just come loose, defensive end Shaun Ellis snatched it up on a bounce and trampled his way into the end zone.  The score put the Jets back on top.

“I thought it was great and the guys responded,” Mangini said. “Two minutes has been a point of emphasis for us all year.”

Following Ellis’ touchdown, the Jets’ defense stepped their game up to a whole new level.  The Bills had two more possessions and each time Losman was picked off, Darrelle Revis on the first drive and Kerry Rhodes to end the game.

“That’s the best four minutes I’ve ever been associated with,” Revis said. “It was great.”

Nose tackle Kris Jenkins wouldn’t admit those were the best couple of minutes this team’s defense has played all season.  Instead, he deferred to me.

“It definitely helped us win,” he said. “I’ll read the article. You let me know.”

To answer your question, Kris: Yes, I do.

The Jets scored on their opening drive of the game on a two-yard run up the middle by Thomas Jones.  It was the running back’s 15th touchdown on the year, 13th on the ground and 8th straight game with a score, all Jets records.

“The guy’s played outstanding,” Favre said. “He’s steady, a heck of a player and a great leader.”

Favre wasn’t much of a factor in the game, completing 17-of-30 passes for 207 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.  While Favre’s been getting most of the press this season, he said it’s Leon Washington who should be on all the headlines.

“I don’t know if there’s a better MVP candidate in the league than Leon Washington,” Favre said of the running back, who had a 47-yard touchdown run and was key on kickoff returns.

Jerricho Cotchery caught Favre’s only touchdown pass on the afternoon, an 11-yard pass with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

Buffalo’s rushing attack is what helped keep them in the game.  Marshawn Lynch ran for 127 yards, while Fred Jackson and Losman each used their feet to get into the end zone.

The win sets up an interesting matchup in two weeks when the Miami Dolphins (9-5) come to East Rutherford.  The Jets beat the Dolphins in Week 1 and could both be playing for the division lead on the final weekend of the regular season.

New York flies to Seattle for this week’s game against the Seahawks.  The Jets are 0-3 on West Coast trips this season and tight end Chris Baker said a win is crucial.

“If we don’t win next week we could be out of the playoff race,” Baker said. “Without a win there’s no last-game showdown.”