New York Jets: Big players make big plays in win over the Broncos

Big players finally make some big plays as the New York Jets handle their business at home, beating the Denver Broncos by the score of 34-16.

Now that’s one way for the New York Jets to get back on track. What a difference just one week makes, am I right? It’s amazing what happens when the team arrives and looks prepared.

16. 45. 34. 30. Final

The MetLife faithful were behind their team from the opening kickoff to the final gun. They ran the ball for 323 yards which nearly broke the franchise record for rushing yards in a game.

We said in the preview that in order to win this game they had to stick with the running attack. 38 plays on the ground would certainly qualify as sticking to it.

Von Miller was also a subject of our preview, for obvious reasons. In this one, however, we have to give the offensive line credit, especially Brandon Shell. Miller did not record a sack, limited to just five combined tackles and a pass defense. Great job.

More from Empire Writes Back

The story of the day was big plays by explosive players.

Sam Darnold didn’t complete 50% of his passes (10-22), but two of his three touchdown passes went to our first explosive performer, Robby Anderson.

It’s almost as if he heard our cries for him to step up because that is exactly what he did.

The second quarter saw Darnold connected twice with Anderson for long touchdowns to open up the Jets lead.

The first was for 76 yards early in the second quarter, and the second was from 35 yards out as the game neared halftime.

For the game Anderson caught three passes for a game-high 123 yards and the two touchdowns. Welcome back Robby.

The other explosive performer on offense was Isaiah Crowell. Early in the second quarter Crowell ran it in from 77 yards out. For the game he ran the ball 15 times for a franchise record 219 yards. Bilal Powell added 99 yards on 20 carries.

Next. Spotlight on Shell. dark

You can put the offense in a nutshell this way: they averaged 8.4 yards per offensive play. It broke down to 8.5 per rushing play and 8.2 per passing play. That will always get it done.

We were worried about Von Miller? It turned out to be unfounded, thank goodness.

Instead, the player that was the third explosive one of the day turned out to be Leonard Williams. All of a sudden he was back and living up to all of the hype he joined the league with. He posted his first 2+ sack game since week one of 2016 when he gave us 2.5 sacks.

Don’t leave out the big game from Morris Claiborne either. Without Trumaine Johnson this week, Claiborne needed to step up and he did with four passes defended.

It doesn’t get easier next week as the Jets remain at home to face the Indianapolis Colts.

Home/New York Jets