The Gang Green got back on track yesterday, as they shut out the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, 38-0. For the second week in a row the Jets ran for over 300 yards, becoming the first team to accomplish that in 35 years. Rookie RB Shonn Greene, who replaced injured RB Leon Washington, ran for 144 yards on 19 carries, 2 TDs and should be a candidate for the Offensive Rookie of the Week. RB Thomas Jones added 121 yards on 26 carries, 1 TD. QB Mark Sanchez rebounded after his awful performance last week against the Bills. He did not put up Peyton Manning-like numbers, but played a mistake free game, finishing 9 of 15 for 143 yards, 1 TD. Sanchez also scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
LB Calvin Pace made his presence felt on the first play from scrimmage when he sacked JaMarcus Russell, causing a fumble that was recovered by DE Marques Douglas. The Jets got the ball on Oakland's 4-yard line and scored a touchdown four plays later. The defense quickly stopped the next Oakland drive and then the Jets were hit by yet another significant injury. RB Leon Washington broke his right fibula on his first and only carry of the game and will reportedly miss the rest of the season.
Later in the first quarter MLB David Harris applied pressure on Russell, causing a bad throw that was picked off by S Jim Leonhard and returned to the Raiders' 4-yard line. Two plays later Sanchez scored on a 3-yard run, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Raiders finally got something going on the subsequent possession, as they moved into the Jets' territory for the first time in this game. Russell's deep ball, however, was spectacularly intercepted in the end zone by CB Darrelle Revis.
The rest of the game was pretty much dominated by the Gang Green who controlled the line of scrimmage and pounded the Raiders on the ground. In the third quarter Sanchez connected with emerging WR David Clowney on a 35-yard touchdown strike that put the Jets up 31-0. Then, in the final quarter, Shonn Greene broke a few tackles on a 33-yard touchdown run that set the final score, 38-0.
The bad:
1). Run defense allowed several long runs, including a 35-yarder in the first half. The huge void left by NT Kris Jenkins' injury surely was felt at times.
2). WR Braylon Edwards once again was almost invisible on the field. Yes, he was covered by one of the best corners in the NFL, but one catch for 14 yards is pretty bad for an elite receiver that Edwards is.
The good:
1). LB Calvin Pace had an outstanding game - 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass batted down, 2 tackles for loss. I'll be shocked if Pace is not named the Defensive Player of the Week.
2). RB Shonn Greene had to fill in for injured Washington and he delivered - 144 yards on 19 carries and 2 touchdowns.
3). CB Darrelle Revis had an interception that stopped one of the few decent drives that Oakland had in this game in addition to defending 2 more passes.
4). CB Dwight Lowery started again in place of injured CB Lito Sheppard and performed admirably - 2 defended passes.
5). WR David Clowney caught 4 passes for 79 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. If only he could add some stability and play like this every week.