Jets-Bills: Defense Thrives As Gang Green Soars to First Place, 26-17

On Sunday, the New York Jets rolled into Buffalo, looking to put their past subpar games behind them against a 5-2 Bills team. What they left with was a newfound confidence in their defensive unit as well as a spot a top the AFC East.

Thanks to big stops and even bigger turnovers, Gang Green would make Trent Edwards look like a rag doll, causing the second-year player to throw two interceptions, as well as lose a fumble.

The Jets would get the ball rolling on their opening drive after Brett Favre would connect with Leon Washington for a 40-yard shuffle pass to put his team in good position to draw first blood. They would, however, have to settle for the field goal after having only one play that resulted in a gain, a two-yard rush by Thomas Jones. This would mark the third straight game that the Jets would score on their opening drive, having gone 0-5 prior to Week Seven.

The Bills would only need three plays to respond. After a 42-yard pass to Marshawn Lynch and a Jets penalty, Edwards would find a wide open Derek Fine to make it 7-3 in a mere 1:38. On their next drive, Edwards would fumble the ball to give the Jets position on the Bills' six-yard line. However, Favre again would not be able to generate anything, bringing in Jay Feely to make it 7-6.

Looking to respond, Edwards led the Bills from their own 30 to the Jets' 14 only, to be picked off by Abram Elam for a 92-yard return, quickly giving the Jets a 13-7 lead. Both teams failed to score in the second quarter, with the Bills unable to gain a yard on a 4th-and-1 on the Jets' eight, while Feely missed 37-yard field goal.

The Jets would add to their lead following the halftime interval with yet another Feely field goal, this time from 20 yards, making it 16-7, after Favre would once again failed to find the end zone. The Bills would respond with one of their own, cutting the lead 16-10.

Thomas Jones would give the Jets their first and only offensive touchdown, with a seven yard run after connecting with Favre twice for a combined 18 yards. That and a 35 yard reception by Jerricho Cotchery would give Jones great field position, allowing him to put the team up 23-10 heading into the fourth.

After failing to convert on a field goal, the Bills would be handed a lifeline, courtesy of Favre when his pass was picked off by Jabari Greer for a 42-yard return, making the score 23-17 with under 11 minutes to play. The Jets would respond by adding an insurance tally, with a Feely 31-yard field goal making it 26-17 with two minutes remaining.

Any shot at a comeback was quickly put to bed by a Darrelle Revis interception in the end zone, securing the upset and helping the Jets win their second straight game and their fourth in five tries.The win makes the team 5-3 and in a three-team tie for first.

The Jets now look to face a 2-6 Rams team next Sunday at home, while the Bills look to recover against the Patriots in New England.

The Good: The Jets find themselves tied for first after a rather impressive display against a much favored team. The defense, despite giving up big yardage in the air, held their ground a second week in a row.

The Bad: Favre's no TDs for the second time this season makes one worry, especially when his interceptions (12) slowly creep up to his TDs. Next week should be no excuse against a lowly Rams team.

The Ugly: While the Jets would eventually get the INT, Eric Mangini's decision to give the Bills the ball back instead of taking the fourth down left me scratching my head.

Game ball: Jay Feely earns this week's honor after going four-for-five and being the most prominent part of the offense.