Jets v. Bills Postgame

Jets- 19
Bills- 13

Record:

Jets: 6-6

The Jets entered this game with a must win mentality if the playoffs are even going to be a distant thought.  The game went according to plan as Thomas Jones and the Jets running game racked up huge yardage against a bad Bills run defense.  The Jets defense came to play and was able to put consistent pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick.  The only negative of this game comes in the form of injury.  Mark Sanchez sprained his right knee in the game (an injury I think he suffered a few weeks back) and is questionable to play next week.  The playoff picture for the Jets is starting to become a little clearer.  For a better than average chance to make the playoffs the Jets will have to win their remaining 4 games.  This involves matchups against the Colts, Falcons, and Bengals.  That stretch of games to finish the season should show us what kind of team these guys really are.

Thumbs Up:

• Thomas Jones continued his amazing season with 109 yards on 23 carries as he eclipsed 1,000 yards.  In my opinion, the Jets didn't give the ball to Jones enough in this game.  He was cutting through the Bills defense with ease on many occasions and picking up 10+ yards.  Jones is a professional runner and really knows how to wait for the holes to open up.  I am hopeful that he will be back next year.  Expect to see even more of Jones next week as the Jets take on the Bucs with a hurt Mark Sanchez.

• Darelle Revis shut down Terrell Owens just like he has every other top receiver he has faced.  Owens finished with 3 catches for 31 yards and was largely a non-factor as Revis was in man coverage all day.  He easily could have had a second interception if he had not dropped a deep ball from Fitzpatrick. 

•  David Harris and Shaun Ellis were busy on Thursday night as they put great pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Harris finished with 11 tackles and a strip sack and Ellis continued his run of good play with a 2 sack game.  The only way the Jets will have success against Matt Ryan, Carson Palmer, and Peyton Manning down the stretch is by putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the quarterback.

Thumbs Down:

• This one is almost too easy.  Braylon Edwards dropped the easiest touchdown opportunity he will get or probably ever has gotten in his entire life.  The defender lost coverage and was a good 10 yards behind Edwards when he dropped Sanchez's bomb which was placed right over his shoulder.  Edwards blamed the drop on the light but he has to make that catch.

• Watching Kerry Rhodes attempt to tackle is sickening.  His method of tackling seems to be doing a half turn and attacking the ball carrier with the back part of his right shoulder.  One of his attempts to bring down Marshawn Lynch last night was laughable.  Rhodes has the physical tools to be a great player but he needs to worth with somebody in the offseason on his tackling.  

•  Kellen Clemens showed last night why sticking with Mark Sanchez is a great idea.  Clemens never looked comfortable and there was absolutely no threat of the pass when he was in the game.  He almost fumbled the snap when the Jets were attempting to run out the clock and really had no positive impact while in the game.

Game Thoughts:

Overall, this was the kind of game I was expecting last night with a solid rushing attack, a good defense, and an uninspired crowd.  The Jets need a lot of help in order to get into the playoffs this year but at least we are moving in the right direction.  Playoffs or not, this team has an opportunity to establish an identity with a string of games against good teams on the horizon (after the Tampa game).  The way the Jets perform in those games will be indicative of our expectations heading into next year.