Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans with New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a three-way tie with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs at 8-5, and with only two AFC Wild Card positions available there is going to be one team left on the outside looking in at the postseason party.
Fitzpatrick has been around the block a few times so he’s well aware that teams are always on the lookout for quarterbacks and that his play this season has been noticed by others that will be willing to bid on him this offseason. Meanwhile, the Steelers have been almost as prolific on offense, putting up more than 35 a game over the past five contests. He also has thrown a career-high 25 touchdown passes, four off Vinny Testaverde’s franchise record. He did a good job early in the year, but his unit has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks. “When we did it game speed, it worked”. The Cowboys (4-9) will be the Jets’ fourth straight sub-.500 opponent.
“We have to take care of our business”, wide receiver Eric Decker said, “and that’s all that we can control”. “Try to win out in December”.
The Jets (8-5) won their third in a row – their first three-game winning streak since November 27-Dec. After getting the ball back the offense wasn’t able to get into the end zone and had kicker Randy Bullock come on for the field goal attempt.
The Titans didn’t necessarily play better than the Jets in the final two quarters en route to a 30-8 defeat but they played a whole lot better than in the first two quarters.
Powell took a short pass from Fitzpatrick and slipped and zipped his way into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown that made it 20-0. Muhammad Wilkerson had three sacks. Walker said they just didn’t come ready to play.
But no, this was not a variation of “A Christmas Carol”, even though at first glance, it seemed like the ghosts of Jets past. Strong safety Calvin Pryor tackled wide receiver Harry Douglas from behind after a 51-yard reception. “Antonio made a great throw….” Smith, whom the Jets selected out of Ohio State in the second round of May’s draft, finishes his rookie season with nine catches for 115 yards and one touchdown. The Titans were held to 24 yards rushing on 13 carries…. The Jets’ offensive line kept Fitzpatrick clean, aside from one sack. Anytime you get a win, it’s a good win, but we started fast. WR Jeremy Kerley (three punt returns for 21 yards) was in and out of the game due to a calf injury. The only two kickoffs for the Titans were both touchbacks.
A potential free agent after the season, Fitzpatrick says Tuesday he would “love to be back” with the Jets.
On how important is the extra dimension of Powell out of the backfield for the passing game…
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First-year coach Bowles, although certainly confident in his suddenly clicking team, wasn’t trying to channel predecessor Rex Ryan. Marshall has 89 catches, five shy of breaking Al Toon’s team record, for 1,187 yards and 11 touchdowns. By shutting down Mariota’s running lanes and sticking a cornerback on Walker, defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers ensured the Titans would gain no traction.
