QUARTERBACKSVinny Testaverde (16-of-37 for 281 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) struggled for much of the game, but how can you overlook the stirring comeback he engineered for the second consecutive week? Testaverde was great when he needed to be great, connecting with Richie Anderson, Dedric Ward and Wayne Chrebet.
RUNNING BACKSCurtis Martin (11-47 rushing) was a non-factor for much of the game, probably because his left knee was hurting more than he let on. Martin, as it turned out, was more of a decoy as the Jets came out with a passing gameplan. Richie Anderson, however, was at his absolute best, catching six passes for 88 yards, including five for 78 on the Jets’ first fourth-quarter TD drive en route to the comeback.
WIDE RECEIVERSDedric Ward (4-100) had his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game. Wayne Chrebet (4-71, 2 TDs) shed any pain he had in his injured leg and caught the two fourth-quarter TD passes, including the game winner. Vincent Brisby had one catch for 18 yards and a key first down.
TIGHT ENDSFred Baxter (1-4, 1 TD) made some terrific blocks in the running game and scored the Jets’ first TD.
OFFENSIVE LINEMuch better job staying away from penalties. LT Jason Fabini came back from his poor performance a week ago and had a good game. C Kevin Mawae was fired up all game and made some punishing blocks. Though Testaverde was sacked twice, he was kept relatively clean – particularly when he needed the protection most at the end of the game.
DEFENSIVE LINEBreakout game from rookie DE Shaun Ellis, who had 1.5 sacks and a number of pressures. DT Jason Wiltz, after a slow start to the season, was active, with a sack and five tackles. NT Jason Ferguson had four tackles.
LINEBACKERSMarvin Jones was again very active in the rush defense, with 12 tackles. Bryan Cox had several pressures and eight tackles. Mo Lewis had a sack and six tackles. James Farrior had a standout overall game, saving a key first down when he tackled Drew Bledsoe in the open field, making a sack and recovering a Damon Dunn fumble on a punt return.
SECONDARYSS Victor Green made 11 tackles, including several crunching hits. CB Aaron Glenn, who had some tough times with Pats WR Terry Glenn, made a key pass breakup late. CB Marcus Coleman had eight tackles. Nickel back Ray Mickens was called for a crucial pass-interference penalty late, though it ended up not hurting the Jets.
SPECIAL TEAMSThe Jets continue to have terrible problems with their punt-return game, as Ward and newcomer Damon Dunn both fumbled balls recovered by their teammates. Dunn didn’t look very special on KO returns (2-35), but FS Kevin Williams, inserted to replace Aaron Glenn, did a pretty good job (3-73). Coverage teams on punts were atrocious, with Pats PR Troy Brown making returns of 31, 21 and 38 yards. Inexcusable.
KICKING GAMEK John Hall’s KOs were a little better, with a second-half touchback. P Tom Tupa averaged 50.3 yards on six tries.
COACHINGAl Groh recorded a significant victory over former coaching teammate Bill Belichick. Mike Nolan’s defense held up for a second week in a row, bending but not breaking in the first half as it kept the Jets’ sputtering offense in the game.