The New York Jets did their best but their best just wasn’t enough to overcome Peyton Manning and Co., as the Gang Green fell to the Colts, 31-28.
The beginning of this game did not look good for the Jets. QB Chad Pennington was sacked and lost a fumble on the first possession. And just four plays later the Colts easily scored a touchdown and took a 7-0 lead.
The Gang Green responded in the second quarter when Pennington connected with WR Jerricho Cotchery for a 33-yard touchdown. The Jets caught the Colts off-guard when they used an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff and quickly got the ball back. New York marched 65 yards down the field and took over the lead, 14-7, on a RB Kevan Barlow's touchdown run. The momentum shifted to the Jets' side, but the Colts just weren't the team that would easily go away. They answered with an 11-play drive of their own and tied the score just before the first half ended.
Having quickly stopped the Colts at the start of the third quarter, the Gang Green moved the ball down the field and inside Indianapolis' 5-yard line. The Jets had three attempts to score from the 2-yard line, including a gutsy call on the fourth down, but failed to score. Pennigton's pass was intercepted in the end zone and the Colts instantly responded with 20-yard field goal, 17-14.
On the first possession of the fourth quarter the Jets marched 78 yards down the field and retook the lead, as Kevan Barlow scored his second touchdown of the day, 21-17. Indianapolis recaptured the lead five minutes later when Manning connected with Fletcher on a 2-yard TD pass. Then, CB/KR Justin Miller returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards to put the Jets back on top, 28-24. There was still, however, more than two minutes left in the final quarter – plenty of time for Peyton Manning to organize another touchdown drive. The Colts scored in just 90 seconds, leaving only 50 seconds for Chad Pennington to work with… not enough.
QB Chad Pennington finished the game 17 of 23 for 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. RB Cedric Houston carried the ball 12 times for 49 yards before getting injured in the third quarter. WR Laveranues Coles caught 6 passes for 81 yards. WR Jerricho Cotchery made 3 receptions for a total of 65 yards, 1 TD.
DE Shaun Ellis recorded both Jets' sacks of the game and added 5 solo tackles. LB Eric Barton led the team with 11 tackles (8 solo). LB Jonathan Vilma had 11 tackles as well (6 solo). For the second week in a row the Jets' defense was unable to stop the opponent's running attack. This time they gave up 160 yards.
Next week the Jets will travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. The kickoff time is at 4:05 PM ET.