Jets Defeat Steelers
Hempstead, NY - A day after the Jets defeated Pittsburgh 14-3, the team was given the next off until Thursday. The Jets entered their bye week at 5-4, and a share of first place with New England. Last season the team entered the bye in week 5 at 0-4, it was then that McGregor and his staff started to contemplate changes necessary to turn the season around. They really never did, finishing 6-10. This season the bye comes at a good time. The team knows they need to make some adjustments if they want to make the playoffs, and they will have a healthy roster when they come back to begin a three game road trip.
Yesterday against the Steelers the Jets defense had its finest game of the season. The D, held the Steelers to 3 points, 245 yards, and forced 3 turnovers. John Abraham was named defensive player of the week. Abraham collected 3 sacks, 3 hurries and 3 tackles for the game. Is it a coinscentent that the Jets opened up negotiations with Abraham's agent today?
Offensively the Jets did what they had to do. The Jets only attempted 22 passes on the day, completing 14 for 159 yards. What was impressive was the endurance of Curtis Martin. Martin carried the ball 36 times for 109 yards against the punishing Steel defense. He also caught 6 passes for 89 yards. No doubt the amount of work that Martin got was because of the bye week coming up.
The big play came from the special teams. After the Steelers went up 3-0, rookie Erict Pruitt returned the short kickoff 85 yards for the go ahead score. For Pruitt it was the play the Jets envisioned from him when they selected him in the 3rd round of this year's draft.
The Jets had no injuries to report and will begin preparing for Miami at the end of the week.