NYJ-BUF: Defense Saves Gang Green's Playoff Hopes, Jets Win 31-27

Another week and another game to add to what has become a roller-coaster ride that is the 2008 New York Jets season. On Sunday, the Jets were able to snap their two-game losing streak with what is called an ugly win. Ugly or not it was a win nonetheless that allowed Gang Green to remain in contention for their first division crown in six years.

The Jets opened the game with another coin toss win (their 12th of the season) and wasted no time finding the end zone. Brett Favre would utilize his arm and legs to get the Jets deep into Buffalo territory.

After connecting with Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery for a combined 27 yards, Favre would scramble for the same amount in his longest run all season. He would then hand off to Tony Richardson and Thomas Jones, who would find the end zone for the eighth straight time. It would be Jones' 15th TD this season, 13 have come on the ground and all are franchise records.

The Bills would answer with a FG after Marshawn Lynch would enjoy much success on the ground collecting 46 yards to help his team get on the board. Favre would rebound with another successful drive eventually hooking up with Cotchery to put the team up 14-3. It would be Favre's first TD in nine quarters. The Jets would sit back and watch as the Bills stormed back to grab the lead.

J.P. Losman, in his second start, would get Buffalo into the end zone for the first time in over two weeks, as he rushed in for an eight yard score after handing off the ball throughout the drive to his backs. He would pull the Bills within four and then take the lead on their following drive.

This drive would only take it two minutes as Losman needed just four plays after a 56-yard punt return by Roscoe Parrish. Losman would connect with Steve Johnson for two yards to give the Bills the 17-14.

However, the Jets would not go quietly, as they got right back into the game with a fantastic 47-yard rush score by Leon Washington for his fourth of the year. They would take the 21-17 lead into the half as the Mr. Hyde of the offense was about to come unannounced.

It would rear its ugly head as they would not get on the board the entire third quarter and the only noteworthy moment would be Buffalo's FG to bring them within one, 21-20.

They would find some offensive juice but only for a Jay Feely 31-yard FG to grab a four point lead early in the fourth. But that would be all she wrote in terms of offense as they let Buffalo regain the lead with a Fred Jackson rush for 11-yards. The Jets received great field positioning but went three and out to give Buffalo the ball to run out the clock.

But for some reason, instead of rushing before the two-minute warning, like they had all game, they opted to go for a pass which ended up being very costly as Losman was sacked by Abram Elam, only to have the ball recovered by Shaun Ellis to be returned for a TD.

The Jets took the lead in the most unforeseeable fashion as Buffalo was clearly in the spirit of giving. The giving didn't stop there, as Losman would throw two interceptions to end the game as the Jets unreliable defense came through when it mattered most.

With the win combined with the same result by Miami and New England the Jets sit atop the AFC East with two games to play. Next week they travel to the west coast for the fourth time this season to take on the 3-11 Seattle Seahawks.

The Good

The Jets first half offense looked solid before it all fell apart in the later half.

The Bad

If the Jets seriously think they deserve to contend in the playoffs they better learn how to pass rush and apply more pressure on the QB prior to the dying moments of a game.

The Ugly

Fan appreciation day was a bust, as the green out was more of a failure than the prizes that were handed out to the best fans in the NFL.

Game Ball

This week's honor goes to the defense in the last three minutes if they can only play like that throughout the game we wouldn't have to rely on terrible play calls on the behalf of the opposition