John Rowe

Staff Writer

FLORHAM PARK - Le’Veon Bell insists he’s never played a perfect football game.

Not even in the Pee Wee League game in which he ran for approximately 500 yards.

“Should have had 600,” the laughing running back said Friday.

Bell is in good spirits these days, after the Jets earned their first win of the season, over Dallas. Even the pending assignment of playing undefeated New England on Monday night at Met Life Stadium can’t wipe that big smile off his face.

“We’re a little more confident and we’re (playing) at home,” he said of the effects of a win after four season-opening losses.

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When the Jets were reeling when quarterback Sam Darnold was sidelined by mono, Bell never lost faith. While his critics in Pittsburgh won’t believe it, he wasn’t a complainer.

“I feel like we’re starting to turn it around,” said Bell. “Three or four weeks ago, people said I was crazy. We have the talent, we have the coaches. We’ve got everything we need.”

Except a running game that was supposed to be stronger by the offseason signing of Bell, the high-priced free agent. The Jets are 30th in the league in rushing and dead last 32nd in total offense.

There have been a lot of reasons for the ineffectiveness of the running game. From blocking breakdowns on the offensive line; to inadequate quarterback play in Darnold’s absence, to the necessity to throw more because of how far the Jets were behind.

Nobody has blamed Bell, who’s on pace to average less yards per game than any other season in his six-year career. In five games, he’s gained only 255 yards and one touchdown on 85 carries, with a long gainer of 13 yards and average per carry of three yards.

This from somebody who became the fastest player (63 career games) to reach 8,000 yards from scrimmage when he surpassed the total in his first play as a Jet. He has averaged 125.7 yards per game played in his career, the best in NFL history among all players with at least 50 games played.

Bell said he saw seams in the Dallas defense in the third and fourth quarter, encouraging signs that his linemen are holding their blocks longer. He envisions a slew of 100-yard games to come.

So does Darnold, who thinks the Jets offense is only going to get better. Much better.

“That’s nice to hear,” Bell said of his quarterback’s optimism. “I’m glad he feels the game way as me.”

Harrison for Kalil?

Center Ryan Kalil suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday’s practice, but was back on the field on Friday. “We’ll see how the treatment goes,” said Jets coach Adam Gase.

If Kalil can’t play against the Patriots, Jonotthan Harrison, who filled in at center late last season, will take his place.

“We’re lucky to have him,” Gase said.

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Confident quarterback

Asked about published stories in which Darnold said the Jets’ offense has no limitations to how good it can be, Gase said: “He’s feeling confident right now. You saw a confident guy last week.”

In his two starts this season, Darnold has completed 69.9 percent of his passes for a 97.6 passer rating. In his last six starts, he has a 9 to 2 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has produced a 98.5 passer rating, the ninth best among all NFL quarterbacks with at least 150 passing attempts.

Kevin Mawae to be honored

Hall of Fame center Kevin Mawae wil be honored at halftime Monday night. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.

Mawae will be presented with his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence by David Baker, president of the Hall of Fame, and Christopher Johnson, Jets’ chairman and chief executive officer. Mawae was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, including six of his eight seasons as a Jet.