The New York Jets' defense came out on a mission this afternoon, after a shaky performance last week against the Cowboys, as they intercepted four passes and limited Jacksonville to just 203 total yards (112 rushing and 91 passing). The Gang Green crushed the Jaguars, 32-3, but lost All-Pro C Nick Mangold who suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. Mangold is scheduled to have an MRI tomorrow, but it looks like he will miss a few weeks. Rookie OL Colin Baxter replaced Mangold and performed pretty well.
The Jets' offense got off to a flying start, marching 65 yards down the field on the opening possession that culminated in a touchdown pass to WR Santonio Holmes. Three plays later the Gang Green extended their lead to 9-0. Rookie DE Muhammad Wilkerson registered his first career sack for a safety. It looked the game would be over quickly, but then QB Mark Sanchez began to struggle. He was picked off on the ensuing possession and then again in the second quarter. Fortunately, the defense was on top of their game.
Sanchez got hot again in the third quarter when he orchestrated an 8-play 92-yard touchdown drive to pretty much put the Gang Green out of reach. Starting on own 8-yard line, Sanchez connected with TE Dustin Keller for a 37-yard completion. Then, five minutes later, he found Keller in the end zone, extending the lead to 22-3.
Stars of the game:
CB Antonio Cromartie - 2 interception, one of them was almost a pick six, but he got tackled on the 1-yard line.
TE Dustin Keller - Sanchez threw to him 6 passes, he caught all 6 for 101 yards, 1 TD.
DE Muhammad Wilkerson - registered first career sack, already surpassing Vernon Gholston.
Entire defense - 4 takeaways, 2 sacks, 8 defended passes, 203 total yards allowed. QB Luke McCown, who started for the Jags, finished the game with a QB rating of 1.8.
Duds of the game:
OT Wayne Hunter - he struggled for the second week in a row, as the offensive line problems just keep piling up.
RB Shonn Greene - could not find any running lanes again, finishing with 49 yards on 16 carries.
WR Plaxico Burress - had just two passes thrown to him, didn't catch any.
Unsung heroes:
NT Sione Pouha - deflected 2 passes at the line of scrimmage.