Who Said They Can’t Score: Jets Put Up Record Setting 48 Points in Win

Added by Justin O'Connell on September 10, 2012.

The Jets celebrate after one of their four offensive touchdowns in Week 1 victory over Buffalo.

After scoring only one offensive touchdown during the preseason, the New York Jets proved that the exhibition season does not mean a thing by scoring four touchdowns in Sunday’s win against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets scored the most points in a season opener, 48, and the most points they’ve scored under head coach, Rex Ryan.

Mark Sanchez came out and played his best half of football ever; this coming after one of the most scrutinizing off seasons any quarterback has ever faced. He went 15-of-22, 184 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Sanchez finished the game going 19-of-27 with 266 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 123.4.

Even after having a very good game, Sanchez did not let the win get to his head.

“I knew we were really close in the preseason. Did I know it was 48 points? No, I didn’t necessarily know that, but that’s just a great day of execution. We still left some plays out there so it wasn’t perfect. (We’ve) still got a lot of work to do but I’m really proud of our effort and the way we moved the ball today,” said Sanchez.

The Jets revealed their much anticipated wildcat package and it had little affect on the game. Tim Tebow ran the ball five times for 22 yards and was used as a decoy multiple times. The longest run they had in the wildcat package went for six yards, on a run by Bilal Powell.

“We didn’t show too much. We were able to get in there and have some efficient plays. Obviously, we would have liked to break one open (for a touchdown), but I think it’ll continue to develop,” said Tebow

Jeremy Kerley and rookie Stephen Hill both stepped up big for the Jets. The two combined for nine catches, 134 yards, and three touchdowns. They both faced injuries during camp and preseason and were even getting on the bad side of their head coach, especially Kerley, but they seemed to be able to flip the switch with the start of the season. Kerley ran back a punt return for a touchdown during the game and in doing so became the first Jet to ever have a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game.

“I was down on him because I expect huge things from him. I thought at first in mini-camps, it was mentally, that he wasn’t picking it up as fast as I had hoped, so that was where I challenged him. Obviously, he had the hamstring injury that was unfortunate, but Jeremy is a guy who I know has tremendous ability. For whatever reason, in mini-camps, we weren’t seeing it the way we are now. Let’s face it, he showed this all last week, and leading up to that week as well, so  we were expecting Jeremy to have a huge game. Now, I don’t know if I would have expected two touchdowns from him, but I really thought he was going to have a big game,” said Ryan on Kerley.

Running the ball was definitely the focus for this offense (even though they passed the ball incredibly well). The Jets ran the ball 36 times for 118 yards. Shonn Greene took the bulk of the load with 27 carries for 94 yards and one touchdown.

The unsung hero for this game has to be the offensive line whose play was simply outstanding against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. The Bills defense had zero sacks, zero QB hits, and only one tackle for loss. Ryan praised Austin Howard’s performance and said, “he may have made a name for himself today.”

“We’re a very proud offensive line. We pride ourselves in keeping the quarterback clean,” said Howard on not giving up a sack.

The Jets defense came up big in the first half, but fell off during the second half. Antonio Cromartie, Darrelle Revis, and Kyle Wilson each had an interception and Cromartie ran his back for a touchdown. The Jets put it on cruise control in the second half, which allowed the Bills to score three more touchdowns, so the defense should be more prepared for the next game.

The defense must also improve against the run, after allowing CJ Spiller to go off and have 14 carries for 169 yards and one touchdown. “I always have confidence. It’s just having opportunities. Like I said, my offensive line did all the work. Today, I pretty much just tried to run fast and make a couple guys miss,” said Spiller.

Newcomer LaRon Landry led the Jets in tackles with seven, two hits on the QB, and a big forced fumble on Spiller.