Defense excels as Jets beat Bills

It wasn’t pretty, but the NY Jets used a determined defensive effort and the gunslinging of QB Brett Favre to win at Buffalo 26-17.  The victory improved the Jets to 5-3 on the year, and the loss dropped Buffalo to the same record.  The net result is that the AFC East race is wide open with the Jets, Bills and New England tied at 5-3 and Miami not far off the pace at 4-4.

The Jets defense forced three turnovers and completely shut down the Bills rushing attack en route to limiting Buffalo to 292 net yards.  Not that the Jets did much better on offense, only generating 297 yards but they did take advantage of the opportunities they were presented with as Jay Feely cashed in  four field goals.  The Jets also got a 92 yard interception return for a TD from Abram Elam which put them in front to stay.  Thomas Jones extended that lead with a 7 yard run as the 3rd quarter expired.

After starting the season 4-0 the Bills have lost the last two, but they’re not making excuses according to cornerback Jabari Greer:

"Losing the last two games is hard. There's nowhere to hide. No matter what we've done before, having that two-game losing streak, the taste in your mouth can easily become something if that's not corrected. It can change the whole mind-set of the season."

Greer did his part in trying to rally the team as he picked off Brett Favre midway through the 4th quarter and returned the interception 42 yards for a TD. That cut the Jets lead to 23-17 but the Bills could get no closer and a Jay Feely FG with just over two minutes remaining put the game out of reach for the home team.

The Bills have another tough test next Sunday as they travel to New England.  The schedule lets up after that, with a Monday Night game at Cleveland on 11/17 and a trip to struggling Kansas City the following Sunday.  The Jets will host St. Louis next Sunday followed by consecutive road games against New England and Tennessee.