The following blog was being updated from the Press Box at Giants Stadium during the Jets/Bills game on Sunday, October 18.
› 8:05 pm: Two losses in a row for the Jets, both coming within the division. Lindell this time was good from 47 yards out for the win. I’m headed down to the locker rooms. Check back Monday for a game story and interviews.
› 7:33 pm: The Jets still have life after Lindell missed from 46 yards out with time expiring. This game is headed to overtime.
› 6:53 pm: It took until about three minutes left in the third quarter for the Bills to get into the endzone. Fitzpatrick hit Lee Evans for a 37-yard pass for the score. Also, Sanchez tossed his third interception of the day.
› 6:30 pm: The Bills are only seven points behind the Jets right now after a second Rian Lindell field goal. They had opportunities in the redzone, but Fitzpatrick couldn’t find any open receivers.
› 5:40 pm: Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was taken out of the game with a leg injury. Jenkins spent a while on the ground before being helped off the field by two of his teammates.
› 5:30 pm: In less than eight minutes, Jones broke his new career-long record with a 71 yard rush, only this time it resulted in a touchdown. The Jets take a 13-3 lead.
› 5:22 pm: Jets running back Thomas Jones just had a run for 64 yards. It was a career long for Jones. The Jets offense, however, couldn’t capitalize in terms of a touchdown and had to settle for another field goal. 6-3 Jets, or the same score the Bills had at the end of last week’s game.
› 5:05 pm: First interception of the afternoon on a pass that was just out of the reach of Braylon Edwards. The receiver, playing his first home game at Giants Stadium, tipped the ball into the hands of Jairus Byrd.
To follow up on Edwards: he’s out of the game and former Cincinnati Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is in. Fitpatrick isn’t new to playing at Giants Stadium. I can remember watching him when the Bengals played here last season and he was in for Carson Palmer.
› 5:00 pm: A big sack for the Jets on third down as David Harris and Calvin Pace got to Edwards. The hit forced Edwards to be helped off the field by his coaches. They’re on the sideline looking at him.
› 4:54 pm: Just 57 passing yards in the first quarter for Sanchez and Edwards. The wind is playing a big factor in this game, meaning they’ll be leaning on the running game more. Right now, it’s 3-3.
› 4:33 pm: Darrelle Revis again draws the tough assignment on the outside as he goes head-to-head with Owens. While Owens isn’t the huge threat that he used to be, the former Pro Bowler is still dangerous. As I mentioned earlier, he has just one touchdown this year and is poised for a breakout performance. Revis was beat last Monday by Ted Ginn Jr. on a deep play down the field and surely doesn’t want to be had again.
› 3:54 pm: I just came up from down on the field, where it is cold, but not unbearable. The uprights show the wind swirling all over the place, but from where I was standing, I didn’t notice much. I was also along the sideline so I’m sure in the center of the field it’s a lot worse.
There are a slew of celebs in attendance, including Larry David, Hillary Swank, James Gandolfini and Richard Belzar. Also here today is Mark Sanchez’s father, Nick Sanchez Sr.
› 1:44 pm: Jets head coach Rex Ryan hasn’t said it out loud, but has to believe this is a must-win game for his team. New York is coming into this contest after a rough road loss in Miami last Monday night. In front of a national television audience, his defense was embarrassed by a rookie quarterback (Chad Henne) and the so-called “wildcat.” The 31-27 defeat led to Ryan calling out his defense, which has to be riled up for this divisional matchup.
The Jets (3-2) are tied for the AFC East lead with New England, while Buffalo’s 1-4 record puts them at the bottom. Bills quarterback Trent Edwards has played mediocre, while Terrell Owens has just 12 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. He’s been on his good behavior thus far, but these numbers can’t be sitting too well with him.
I’m expecting the Jets to win this game, not because I cover them, but because they’re simply better. The Bills don’t have it together right now, something we learned prior to their 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns last week. I’m predicting: Jets 28, Bills 10.
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