Two Bills Drive

‘It can be a sign of a maturing team when it can kick a bad team when it is down. And, more importantly, a sign that a struggling team might have found its footing is when it does not sink to the level of an even worse team. If that is the case, the Jets made progress today with a 42-36 victory over the inept Buffalo Bills.’

‘"I saw that," Jets Coach Herman Edwards said, alluding to the war news after his team’s 42-36 victory. "You think about all the troops over there who are fighting for us so that we can stand here. Your prayers are with them."’

‘This game was a homecoming for the Jets’ defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell, who spent 10 years with the Bills and who interviewed for their head coaching job in the off-season before they hired Gregg Williams. Many Buffalo players made their way to the Jets’ sideline to greet Cottrell during warm-ups.’

‘These weren’t the Bills of Kelly, Thomas and Reed, so the Jets (2-2) would be foolish to get too giddy with the victory, especially with the Dolphins (3-1) next on the schedule. Nonetheless, it was a sorely needed jolt for the Jets’ psyche, which appeared to be at the breaking point after last week’s loss.’

‘"I felt we broke the curse, broke the hex today because the Bills had had my number since I’ve been with the Jets," Martin said after running 26 times for 135 yards and scoring twice. "The only two successful games against them were the two games my rookie year. It was something we definitely needed."’

‘Rob Johnson thought the hit was dirty. Mo Lewis didn’t think he could have avoided it. It will be up to the NFL to determine who is right.’

‘It was an unusual strategic move — to start the game with an onside kick. Maybe the Bills were hoping to catch the Jets asleep and set them back on their heels. "It actually helped us," said Ted Cottrell, the Jets defensive coordinator/assistant head coach. "We stopped them and got the ball back. It gave us a jolt and we responded positively."

‘"A lot of thoughts were running through my mind," he said after the Jets’ 42-36 win over the Bills. "It was tough during the pregame warmups. I had to go back in the locker room and review the plays again, just to reassure myself. It was distracting, but at the same time, we had a job to do."’

‘Offensive Line: A- Controlled the line of scrimmage against Buffalo’s eight-man fronts. Nice job picking up blitzes. No sacks allowed.’

‘The Jets’ defense, which missed 18 tackles in the 19-17 loss to the 49ers, pushed the Bills around, forcing five turnovers – three in the first quarter – and knocking Buffalo QB Rob Johnson out of the game late in the first quarter with a pinched nerve in his neck.’

‘The previous week had represented a trying time of reflection for Anthony Becht, the Jets’ second-year tight end who had his worst game as a pro last Monday against the 49ers with three dropped passes and one sack allowed. In yesterday’s 42-36 win over Buffalo, though, Becht was terrific both in his blocking and catching the ball – as if Monday night’s performance never took place.’

‘Yesterday, with the knowledge that American troops had begun a real war in the Middle East, the Jet LBs sought to make their own statement of redemption at Jack Wilson Stadium.’

‘"We’re not the ones that started this, but I’ve got to believe we’ll be the ones to finish it," he said.’

‘The Jets were being the Jets, which means they were sputtering along against what appears to be one of the worst Bills teams of the past 15 years. Moments into the third quarter on a cold, windy day at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Jets were only six points better than the Bills, who are a mere shell of the proud AFC East contender they used to be.’

‘Lewis was not penalized, but the NFL is certain to review the play this week.’