The New York Jets moved their record back to .500 today with a convincing 42-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. This was a game filled with big plays and receivers running wide open down the field for both offenses. The Jets defense spent the afternoon bending but not breaking and making massive plays that compensated for the yardage and points they let Andrew Luck compile. Offensively, Sam Darnold built on last week’s strong performance and outside of a first half interception played a nearly flawless game. Jets fans should be encouraged by the team handling business at home in back to back weeks and for seeing their team exceed 30 points three times in Sam Darnold’s first six games.

Darnold wrapped up 24/30 for 280 yards (9.3 YPA) with 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and 11 rushing yards. He was also victimized by a dropped should be touchdown pass to Robby Anderson. The first half interception was ugly but he played with a short memory and consistently moved the ball on third downs. Darnold also did a great job spreading the football around with Quincy Enunwa out with an injury (he left today’s game in a walking boot). Jermaine Kearse paced the Jets with 9 receptions for 94 yards. Chris Herndon scored his first career touchdown on a beautifully designed play by Jeremy Bates and Terrelle Pryor stepped up in an expanded role with 5 catches for 57 yards and his second touchdown of the season.

The Jets didn’t have much of a running game today. Bilal Powell and Isiah Crowell combined for only 99 yards on 29 carries but it was enough to keep the defense honest. Darnold played beyond his years and has shown an ability to rack up points, no matter who his primary weapons are. The Jets (yes, these Jets) were also terrific in the two minute drill today before the half, finding a way to navigate a quick turn drive for points as time expired. Jason Myers will probably be your NFL Special Teams Player of the Week as he went 7/7 on field goals. Don’t look now but the Jets have one of the league’s best special teams units.

Defensively, the Jets had some shaky moments in the second half and allowed the Colts to hang around but made big plays when they needed to, something they have struggled with in the past. Morris Claiborne had a pick six off a dropped pass on the game’s first drive and Darron Lee snagged a huge interception in the 4th quarter to help ice the game. Beyond that, Jamal Adams added a forced fumble and Avery Williamson grabbed a second half interception and was instrumental in a first half goal line stand. This unit is making plays they have not in recent years and the overall communication is much better since Todd Bowles began calling plays.

It is also worth noting the Jets played with two backups at corner today: Parry Nickerson and Daryl Roberts. Terrence Brooks also needed to replace Marcus Maye who left this game with a cast on his hand. The Jets are weathering injuries on the back end but have still been able to win the past two weeks. The challenge gets harder next week with the Minnesota Vikings come to town, who have won two in a row and have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.

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