NY forces three turnovers, moves into tie with Buffalo for 2nd in AFC East
Getty ImagesJets quarterback?Mark Sanchez looks to pass during New York's victory over Buffalo on Sunday.
updated 4:29 p.m. ET Nov. 6, 2011
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The New York Jets' back-to-basics formula ? smashmouth defense and running the ball ? has them firmly back in the AFC East playoff race at midseason.
The Jets forced three turnovers, including Jim Leonhard's recovery of Fred Jackson's fumble that set up LaDainian Tomlinson's 1-yard plunge early in the second half of a 27-11 win over the Buffalo Bills. Mark Sanchez then put the Jets up 20-3 by hitting Santonio Holmes for an 8-yard touchdown.
Sanchez went 20 of 28 for 230 yards to overcome a pair of first-half turnovers: an interception and fumble. Fullback John Conner also scored on a 1-yard plunge, while Nick Folk hit two of three field-goal attempts, including a 50-yarder into the wind.
Led by Shonn Greene's 76 yards, New York gained 126 on the ground, the team's second-best total of the season. Greene did not finish the game after sustaining a head injury in the fourth quarter.
Coming out of their bye week, the Jets (5-3) extended their win streak to three following a three-game skid and moved into a tie with the Bills (5-3). It was also New York's first road win of the season after three straight losses. And it came against an opponent that opened 4-0 at "home," including last week's 23-0 win over Washington at Toronto.The Jets' defense held firm the entire game, and essentially secured the victory in the first minute of the fourth quarter. With Buffalo down 20-3 and threatening, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace combined to stuff Jackson for no gain on fourth-and-inches at the New York 15 yard line.
The Jets responded with a 14-play, 84-yard drive capped by Conner's TD.
Pace also had an interception, as did David Harris, while Sione Pouha forced Jackson's fumble that set up Tomlinson's score to put the Jets ahead 13-0 in the third quarter.
The Jets contained an offense among the NFL's most prolific so far this season. Buffalo entered the game averaging 30.1 points, and had scored 20 or more points in each game.
Jackson, averaging 153 yards from scrimmage, was limited to 82 yards rushing and 38 receiving. He also fumbled for the first time this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 15 of 31 for 191 yards and two interceptions. He produced a mean-nothing 7-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson with 3:14 left, and the quarterback then ran the ball in for a 2-point conversion.
Otherwise, the Bills looked like their former popgun selves against what remains a dominant Jets defense. Through their first eight possessions, the Bills had as many turnovers as first downs ? three. The Bills also managed just 73 net yards in the first half.
The loss came as a huge letdown for a pompom waving, passionate fan-base that filled Ralph Wilson Stadium. Many of the fans wore white to match their team wearing all white uniforms for the first time since 1986.
It was a sloppy, mistake-filled first half in which the Jets blew several opportunities despite holding a large edge in time of possession: 20:47-9:13. Sanchez was picked off by Jairus Byrd at the end of an 87-yard drive.
The only score of the first half came on Nick Folk's 49-yard field goal.
Bills Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson made his first appearance of the season at Orchard Park after he missed his team's first four home games while recovering from a broken hip.
? 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45182865/ns/sports-nfl/
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