The New York Jets made it two in a row on Sunday, as they rushed for over 160 yards on the way to a 17-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This was exactly what the Jets needed to take pressure off struggling QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez once again committed a turnover when he fumbled in the first half, but that's pretty much where his mistakes ended. He was 12 of 19 for 111 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. The Gang Green really didn't need more from him, as RB Shonn Greene and RB Bilal Powell ran for 78 and 77 yards respectively and each scored a touchdown.
The defense did their job as well. The Jags were just 2 of 16 on third downs and 0 of 2 in the red zone. When it looked like Jacksonville was going to score in the first quarter, LB Bart Scott came up with an interception with help from LB Garrett McIntyre who applied the pressure on the quarterback. The Jaguars had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter but the defense once again came up big for the Gang Green. CB Ellis Lankster picked the ball off on the Jets' 4-yard line, effectively ending all hopes for a Jacksonville comeback. DE Muhammad Wilkerson continued playing well, as he recorded his third sack in the last four games. Rookie DE Quinton Coples had a sack as well. He was also flagged for a facemask personal foul, which turned out to be the only Jets' penalty in the entire game.
WR Stephen Hill suffered a knee injury and will undergo an MRI later today. If he's done for the season, the Jets will most likely look to bring in a replacement. Former Jet WR Braylon Edwards, who's currently a free agent, is a possibility.
With this win the Jets improved to 6-7 and, despite all their struggles this season, are only one game away from a playoff spot. They will have to keep pounding the ball on the ground and play solid defense, which would allow mark Sanchez to play his role as a serviceable quarterback. Such a plan should work next Monday against the Tennessee Titans (4-9), who are 24th in the league against the run. Then there's QB Jake Locker, who's as prone to making mistakes as his Jets' counterpart. Locker threw 7 interceptions in the last 3 games and, just like Sanchez, struggled to keep his completion percentage above 50%.
The early line has the Titans favored by a point. The last time when the teams played in Tennessee, the Jets won 34-13. QB Brett Favre passed for 224 yards and 2 TDs and RB Leon Washington scored 2 touchdowns, averaging over 10 yards per carry.