AFC East

Sporting News, The, Nov 16, 1998

Teams are listed alphabetically

Amazing month has Jets on top

Four weeks ago, the Jets were a demoralized team with a quarterback controversy, a banged-up $6-million running back and a coach who was so disgusted that he walked out of practice one day.

The Dispirit of St. Louis--an embarrassing 30-10 loss to the Rams on October 11--dropped the Jets to 2-3, almost wiping out their season.

"We were wondering about ourselves, wondering if we were good enough," tight end Kyle Brady says.

Since then, they have resembled a playoff team, seemingly hellbent on winning the franchise's first division title since 1969. After beating the Patriots, Falcons, Chiefs and Bills--and moving into a first-place tie with the Dolphins--the Jets will be 7-3 after beating the woeful Colts this week at the RCA Dome.

"One of my goals is to get in the playoffs before Week 16. We could be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed," fullback Keith Byars gushed after Sunday's win. "Hey, there's no rule written that says Denver can't go 5-3 in the second half."

So, what has happened to The Same Old Jets? Let us count the ways:

1. Bill Parcells. He is earning his $2.4 million salary as well as Coach of the Year consideration.

2. Vinny Testaverde. He is 6-0 as the starter with a passer rating of 103.6. At last, stability at quarterback.

3. Defense. This isn't an abundantly talented group--cornerback Aaron Glenn is the only first-round pick in the starting lineup--but it is hungry and well-coached by Bill Belichick. The Jets have allowed only 91 points in their last seven games.

4. Offensive firepower. One week it's Wayne Chrebet, the next it's Keyshawn Johnson. And Brady is acting like Dave Casper. Wait until running back Curtis Martin gets going.

5. Veteran leadership. Pepper Johnson, Byars and Bryan Cox have become positive influences in the locker room, something the Jets lacked in the past. --Rich Cimini

Buffalo

5-4: T 3rd

Expect others to copy Jet's defense of Flutie

Leave it to Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick to devise a scheme to slow Doug Flutie. In the Jets' romp over the Bills last Sunday, Belichick used a 4-4-3 defense with LB James Farrior spying on Flutie on passing downs.

With Farrior guarding Flutie, it prevented him from scrambling around to make plays. The Jets also used seven defensive backs in their dime defense, and Flutie usually had only four downfield receivers to throw to. This week, the Patriots probably will employ a similar strategy because Pats coach Pete Carroll--another defensive guru--has an outstanding corps of linebackers in Chris Slade, Tedy Bruschi, Ted Johnson and Todd Collins. Bruschi would seem like a logical candidate to play the spy role against Flutie because he plays on most passing downs and is more mobile than any of the other linebackers.

SMITH STRUGGLES: RB Antowain Smith continues to suffer through a rough second season. He was held to 37 yards on nine carries against the Jets, and he doesn't seem to possess the same power and speed he showed in his rookie season. Check the numbers: Of Smith's 160 carries, he has gained fewer than four yards on 92. Twenty times he has been caught for negative yardage.... LB John Holecek has been brilliant as Chris Spielman's replacement. Holecek, a fourth-year player, has been one of the pleasant surprises in the NFL as he leads the team in tackles and has been instrumental in getting the team into the proper defenses and making the right calls despite the fact the team is switching regularly between the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. Holecek has played so well the team does not miss Spielman, who is sitting out the season to care for his wife, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Holecek had another solid game last Sunday; he was credited with 13 tackles. He also tipped a pass that rookie Sam Cowart intercepted.

GOAL-LINE STAND: Teams on the Bills' schedule now have five full games of videotape on Flutie, and defensive coordinators will have a better idea of how to defense him in the weeks to come. Belichick did a great job last Sunday, and look for the Patriots' Steve Sidwell to come up with a way to keep Flutie in the pocket. Flutie needs a strong running game to be effective, and if the team is going to remain in the hunt for a playoff berth, it must find a way to get Smith back on track. Flutie, contrary to popular belief, cannot do it all alone. --Sal Maiorana

GRADING OUT vs. N.Y. Jets

OFFENSE D

Flutie Magic disappeared as Jets blanketed receivers and stuffed the running game.

DEFENSE F

Third-down defense was horrid, and pass rush was non-existent.

SPECIAL TEAMS D

Four penalties that were all damaging, and coverage was poor.

STRATEGY D

No rollouts for Flutie and no defensive answer for Jets' receivers.

BILLS

PASSING           Att.    Comp.   Pct.    Yds.    Long

Flutie            167      98     58.7    1241    82t
R. Johnson         87      55     63.2     694     50

PASSING           TD      Int.    Rate    Sacks

Flutie            10       5       89.4     6
R. Johnson         5       3       92.8    24

RUSHING           Att.    Yds.    Avg.    TD

A. Smith         160      593     3.7     3
Thomas            56      212     3.8     2
R. Johnson        18      115     6.4     0

RECEIVING         No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

Moulds            33      658     19.9    5
Reed              32      386     12.1    3
Thomas            19      180      9.5    0

SCORING           XPM     XPA     FGM     FGA     Pts.

Christie          21      21      17      22      72

PUNTING           No.     Yds.    Avg.    Blk.

Mohr              45      1877    41.7    0

KO RETURNS        No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

K. Williams       28      644     23.0    0

PUNT RETURNS      No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

K. Williams       18      138      7.7    0