(Photo: US Presswire)
By Ryan Alfieri, Editor
This was one of the most complete wins the Jets have had since they beat down the Bills in Week 1, but without the late-game defensive hiccups.
When Rex Ryan built this team, this is exactly how he envisioned them playing: Shonn Greene ran for 161 yards and three scores, and the defense only allowed 41 yards on the ground.
Read on for a breakdown of the Jets dominant win over the Colts:
Party like it’s 2009: Mark Sanchez only threw 18 times for 82 yards, and still put up 35 points in the process.
This just speaks to how dominant the running game was, especially late in the game when the Colts defenders wore down and wanted to part of tackling a motivated, angry Shonn Greene. Greene has taken a lot of heat as of late for not making any defenders miss, but his physicality showed why the Jets coaches insist on starting him every week.
Still, most of the credit for the offenses success must be given to the offensive line. They gave huge lanes for Greene, McKnight, and Powell to run through. Mark Sanchez had a ton of time to stand in the pocket and make throws. Not having to deal with Robert Mathis certainly helps, but Dwight Freeney and the improving Jerry Hughes is nothing to sniff at.
The DK Effect: To say that Dustin Keller has had a quiet season would be an understatement, but it is hard to ignore the fact that whenever he is in the lineup, the Jets offense explodes. Perhaps he is drawing extra coverage and helping other guys get open, but that is something we can’t say for sure until we look at the tape.
Run defense shows up: After getting gashed in the run game for five games in a row, the Jets finally turned in a vintage ru defense performance, only allowing 41 yards to the Colts. Granted, Vick Ballard and the Colts offensive line is not exactly the 49ers rushing attack, but the Jets capitalized on a perfect opportunity to “get well” again in this area.
Young Defensive Lineman show up: Because of injury to other starters, Quinton Coples got his first start, and he made the most of hi opportunity. He got consistent pressure, recording a sack and a half and four tackles. Even when Kenrick Ellis and Sione Pouha return, it is going to be hard for the Jets to keep Coples off the field.
Muhammad Wilkerson joined the fun as well, getting a strip-sack on Luck late in the game. Aaron Maybin was finally able to get some pressure on more than one play and showed a wider array of moves.
Tags: indianapol, new york jets, nfl
