It was supposed to be an easy win. It was a massacre. And it’s a happy day for Jets fans.
After a devastating 47-3 blowout, the Jets (6-3) lead the AFC East. The Brady-less New England Patriots (6-3) are tied for first place, having beat the Buffalo Bills (5-4) 20-10.
Sunday’s match-up against the Rams was supposed to be a cakewalk for the Jets, but their heart-breaking loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 7 doubtless had some fans concerned. No need to worry.
It was a golden opportunity for the Jets. They took it – and then some.
The Jets scored on all seven of their possessions in the first half – three touchdowns, four field goals. The last time a team scored on their first eight possessions was the Rams, surprisingly enough, in 2000 against the San Diego Chargers.
Running back Thomas Jones had a monster day with three touchdowns and 149 yards rushing on just 26 carries. Tight end Dustin Keller led the team in receptions with six catches for more than 100 yards and a touchdown.
Even Jay Feely had a great day, kicking four for four field goals, including a 55-yarder. Brett Favre threw for less than 200 yards but no interceptions. He left the game early in the fourth quarter because, simply put, the Jets didn’t need him – and certainly didn’t want to risk him getting hurt.
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The Rams turned the ball over five times – four in the first half alone.
Rams quarterback Mark Bulger, who threw an interception and fumbled, got benched in the second half in favor of 38-year-old NFL veteran Trent Green, who threw an interception in the red zone. Running back Kenneth Darby and wide receiver Derek Stanley had a fumble apiece. Yes, it was ugly.
The Jets took on the St. Louis Rams (2-7) minus Rams stud running back, Steven Jackson. Backup RB Antonio Pittman wasn’t on the field much in the first half. A hamstring injury had kept him out of practice most of last week.
The exuberant Jets take on the Patriots in Week 11’s Thursday night game in a head-to-head clash for the division lead. The Miami Dolphins (5-4) and Chad Pennington beat the hapless Seattle Seahawks (2-7), who made a valiant, albeit ineffective, effort in the fourth quarter, by a score of 21-19.
So where do things stand in the AFC East? The Jets and Patriots are tied for first place. The Dolphins and Bills are tied for second. Anything can happen.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants (7-1) may face a roadblock in their stomp back to the Super Bowl. Eli Manning faces Donovan McNabb and the Eagles (5-3) in Philadelphia. While the Giants have been nearly flawless on the road, they are not favored to win – and the Eagles’ fight for a playoff berth may give them extra impetus to overpower Big Blue. It’s a recipe for an exciting Sunday night game.
Happy Football!
