National Football League

Jets ride out rocky start in huge win

Published Dec. 4, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Like so many flights out of New York, the Jets were slow to push away from the gate — both earlier this season and in Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.

It took until nearly 50 minutes before the Jets had their first their first lead and they picked up the pace for a 34-19 victory at FedEx Field. Since only one of the Jets’ final five opponents (the New York Giants) is .500 or better, the Jets can close just as fast when it comes to a playoff push.

“It tells us we have to get better,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “Sometimes we don’t like for it to get down to that. It also tells you about the character and the guts of this football team. We believe in each other. Everybody holds onto that rope tight and we find ways to get it done.”

It wasn’t happening for the Mark Sanchez-led Jets offense early, at least after their first drive that resulted in a one of three rushing touchdowns for running back Shonn Greene. The Jets had six of their 10 first downs, all three third-down conversions and their only fourth-down conversion of the first half on that first possession.

“An 18-play drive to start the game should give you plenty of momentum to get things going,” Sanchez said.

While the Jets’ offense was punch-less, at least Sanchez didn’t compound things by throwing a pick — although he did bounce some balls in and out of the hands of Redskins defenders Reed Doughty and DeAngelo Hall. Sanchez said the Jets' lack of offense was largely self-inflicted, nonetheless.

“We need a better sense of urgency and a better tempo,” said Sanchez, who was 19 for 32 with one TD. “That starts with the quarterback, so I need to get better at that, but I’m proud of the way the guys finished. They hung in tough.”

Sanchez remained largely upright for the most part — something the Jets have struggled with in stretches this season — and that was no small feat against the Redskins who entered tied for third in the league in sacks.

Sanchez, who had been sacked 25 times this season, wasn’t sacked once officially, although he came close. With two minutes left in the third quarter, Sanchez absorbed a shot to the chin from ‘Skins defensive back Kevin Barnes, a hit that drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. The illegal hit negated both the sack and the fumble, which Washington had recovered.

“I’m just thrilled about our protection,” said Sanchez, who threw a fade to Santonio Holmes for a 30-yard TD to put the Jets up for good with 4:49 left.

Aaron Maybin’s fourth-quarter sack — and the fumble that he recovered as a result of that hit on Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman — wasn’t called back.

“Right before the game, Coach Ryan came to me on the sideline and said, 'Sacks in the fourth quarter win football games,’” Maybin said. “So, that was the mentality of the whole defense.”

The Jets took the ball over on the Washington 9-yard-line and Greene ran the ball in on a direct snap on the next play. With the extra point, the Jets’ lead expanded to 27-16.

A failed onside kick after ‘Skins kicker Graham Gano’s fourth field goal led immediately to Greene’s final TD run of the day, this one from 25 yards out. He finished with 88 yards on the ground and his play (along with his health) could loom large down the stretch. Fellow running backs Joe McKnight (hyperextended elbow, will have an MRI this week) and LaDainian Tomlinson (reinjured knee) are hurt.

The Jets, 12 games in, are now into the fourth quarter of the season as they seek a third consecutive trip to the AFC title game. The Jets are one of five AFC teams at 7-5, the benchmark at the moment for a wild-card berth. (The Cincinnati Bengals, one of those 7-5 teams, would get the wild card if the playoffs started today due to the fact they have a better conference record.) The Jets’ final four opponents — Kansas City, Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Miami — have a combined record below .500.

“We’ve always prided ourselves in playing our best football in December,” Tomlinson said. “That’s the way this team is built. We’re starting to do that. Our schedule sets up for us to make a run for the playoffs. We just have to stay focused.”