The Jets had flubbed their previous drive, which ended when Santonio Holmes cut left and Mark Sanchez’s pass went right on third-and-2.
Oops.
But the defense held the Bills to a three-and-out, giving the Jets another shot, still trailing by three points. So the offense got together.
“We were pretty much out of breath, we didn’t have much to say to each other,” Holmes said.
Actions say so much more, anyway.
PHOTOS: JETS BEAT BILLS, 28-24
Holmes ultimately had the last say, hauling in a 16-yard touchdown throw from Sanchez, who scrambled out of the shotgun to make the pass. Holmes’ catch, with 1:01 left, helped the Jets save their season with a 28-24 victory over the Bills at MetLife Stadium.
Holmes, typically clutch, hauled in the pass in the right of the end zone, making sure he kept both feet inbounds.
“[Sanchez] got flushed out of the pocket. We know we’ve been taught in practice to just keep the play alive until it’s complete, thrown away or whatever,” said Holmes, who had one other catch on the day. “[Bills cornerback Aaron Williams] had his back turned to the quarterback. … When he relaxed, that’s when I knew it was my turn to turn around and do what I’m supposed to do for Mark.”
Namely, to get open, make a catch, and win the game.
Holmes said the confidence he felt in Sanchez — and the same sort of self-belief the quarterback exudes — helped make that third-and-2 botch just a momentary glitch.
“We made mistakes all game. But we own up to them, fess up to them,” Holmes said. “We found a way to pull out the game and that’s what really mattered. … No matter what [Sanchez] goes through, he continues to play until the last second of the game.”
It was important that Sanchez kept going to the last second of the ultimately decisive play.
“I started running. I’m ready to throw it away or get a couple yards and get out of bounds and save some time,” said Sanchez, who had a mostly uneven day despite four touchdown passes.
But Sanchez said he always is reminded by the coaching staff “to remain a passer and keep your eyes up.” And he did.
“’Tone freed up, gave me his hand and let me know where he was going and that was it,” Sanchez said.