The New York Jets improved to 7-5, as they defeated the Green Bay Packers, 38-10, to solidify their wild card aspirations. Both Kansas City and Denver lost today, which means that the Jets are now in a 5-team tie for the two wild card berths.
The Gang Green came out firing in the first quarter, but had to settle for just a field goal on the first possession, despite moving the ball inside the Packers’ 10-yard line. After the defense forced Green Bay to go three and out, New York quickly got the ball back close to midfield. Just a bit more than two minutes later QB Chad Pennington connected with WR Jerricho Cotchery, who had caught a 25-yard pass earlier in the drive, to extend the lead to 10-0.
As the second quarter began, the Jets were once again inside Green Bay’s territory and moving in for another score. Pennington moved the team inside the Packers’ 5 yard line where RB Cedric Houston made it 17-0. Later in the same quarter Houston scored on another short touchdown run, making the score an embarrassing 24-0. The nightmare for the Packers wasn’t over though. The Gang Green scored another touchdown before the first half came to its end when Pennington found TE Chris Baker in the end zone on a 1-yard TD pass.
The Packers escaped the shutout on their first possession of the second quarter when they converted a 34-yard field goal, 31-3. The Gang Green tried to put the game in the bag on the ensuing possession but Pennington’s deep pass was picked off. Green Bay took over on their 13-yard line and moved the ball inside the Jets’ territory, but failed to convert a fourth down. The Jets got the ball back only to give it back to the Packers on another Pennington’s interception. This time, however, the Pack managed to capitalize, as Brett Favre connected with Donald Driver, 31-10. Green Bay also recovered the ensuing kickoff when the Jets were caught off-guard with an onside kick. It sure looked like the momentum was turning to the Packers’ side, but the Jets’ defense made a so much needed stop, forcing Green Bay to punt. The Gang Green scored on their next possession, making the final score 38-10.
QB Chad Pennington had an excellent first half, but faded in the second. He finished the game 25 of 35 for 263 yards, 2 INT, 2 TD. RB Cedric Houston ran for 105 yards on 22 carries, 2 TDs. RB Leon Washington added 40 yards on 7 carries and a touchdown, as the Jets amassed a total of 178 yards on the ground. WR Jerricho Cotchery made 9 receptions for 99 yards, 1 TD. TE Chris Baker, who finally got involved in the offense, caught 4 passes for 50 yards, 1 TD.
LB Victor Hobson led the defense with 13 tackles (9 solo). DE/LB Bryan Thomas had his second good game in a row – 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble. CB Andre Dyson and FS Kerry Rhodes had one interception apiece.
Next week the Jets will host their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills (5-7). The kickoff is at 4:15 PM ET.