On the day when the New York Jets retired Curtis Martin's #28, the Gang Green's offense scored four touchdowns, erasing all memories of the poor preseason where they managed to score just one in four games. Special teams and defense scored as well, as the Jets utterly destroyed the Buffalo Bills, 48-28, setting a new season opener scoring record.
QB Mark Sanchez answered all questions, as to whether he or QB Tim Tebow should be the starting signal caller, with an impressive performance that saw him toss three touchdown passes. Two of those were to rookie WR Stephen Hill, who became only the fifth player in the last 25 years to score two receiving touchdowns in his first NFL game. Second year WR Jeremy Kerley was another player who emerged as a difference maker after hitting a performance slump last season. In addition to scoring the Gang Green's first touchdown, Kerley also scored on a 68-yard punt return, which is something no one had ever done in the team's history.
OT Austin Howard was another player whose performance was instrumental in securing the win. In just his second NFL start Howard held his ground against one of the league's best pass rushers in Mario Williams, not allowing a single sack.
The running game was the only area of concern on offense, as the Jets never really got their ground game going. RB Shonn Greene gained 94 yards on 27 carries (3.5 yards/carry), while the entire team averaged only 3.3 yards/carry.
The defense played well in the first half, but then looked shaky at times in the second. They allowed almost 200 yards on the ground, including 169 to CJ Spiller, who averaged 12.1 yards/carry. Offseason acquisition, S LaRon Landry, led the team with 7 tackles (6 solo) and 2 quarterback hits. Rookie DE Quinton Coples, who was able to sack the quarterback in every preseason game, had a quiet game. He registered just one tackle and was flagged for roughing the passer.
CB Darrelle Revis suffered a mild concussion and his status for the next game is uncertain.
Next Sunday the Jets will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers (0-1). The kickoff is at 4:15 PM ET.