QB Mark Sanchez threw a couple of touchdown passes and ran for another two, as the New York Jets easily cruised past the Kansas City Chiefs, 37-10. It was the Gang Green's third win in a row but it might have come with a rather high price tag. S Jim Leonhard reportedly has a torn ligament in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the season. On the positive side, besides the win, the Jets now control their own playoff destiny, as Cincinnati, Oakland and Tennessee all lost today.
The Jets, who seemed to have a habit of playing down to the level of their opponent, came out like a determined team this afternoon. Just like a week ago against the Redskins, the Gang Green scored on their opening possession, an 11-play drive that went for 77 yards. Both teams then struggled on offense for the rest of the first quarter and into the second until Leonhard came up with an interception in the second quarter. The takeaway that most likely cost Leonhard the season and hurt his free agent value put the Jets on the Chiefs' 38-yard line. Three plays later the Jets scored, as Sanchez connected with WR Santonio Holmes on a 2-yard pass.
The next Jets' possession in the second quarter went for 69 yards on 9 plays and culminated in RB Shonn Greene's 7-yard TD run. The defense then quickly took care of Kansas City's offense, making them punt for the fourth time. WR Jeremy Kerley, who replaced Leonhard as the punt returner, took the punt 26-yard back and deep into the Chiefs' territory. It took the Jets just four plays to score again. Sanchez found RB LaDainian Tomlinson on a screen pass and the latter took it 19 yards to the end zone. The Gang Green were up 28-3, making second half a formality.
Sanchez played an almost mistake free game. He did lose a fumble in the second half, but he never saw the defender who sacked him. Shonn Greene gained 129 yards on 24 carries in what was definitely his best game of the season. The offensive line did a great job run blocking but at times struggled in pass protection, allowing three sacks. WR Plaxico Burress did not have a single catch.
The defense played an almost perfect game in the first half, allowing only one first down and four net yards. They weren't as dominant in the second half, but still made plays when they needed them. Although they did give up a touchdown pass that should have been intercepted or at the worst batted down.
The good:
RB Shonn Greene - he keeps getting better as the season progresses. 129 yards on 24 carries, 1 TD. Greene also caught 3 passes for 58 yards.
QB Mark Sanchez - 13 of 21 for 181 yards, 2 TD. He also ran for 4 yards, scoring 2 touchdowns.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson - he finally looked like a threat in the passing game, making 2 grabs for 50 yards, 1 TD.
LB Calvin Pace - had a very good game, sharing a sack with DT Marcus Dixon and also registering 2 tackles for loss.
DT Sione Pouha - 1 sack, 1 safety.
The bad:
CB Darrelle Revis - he gave up a few catches again. It wasn't as bad as in some recent games, but still... He's Revis, he should be close to perfect.