NFL

JONES TAKES FORWARD STEPS

Thomas Jones felt it, sensed that he and the Jets’ offensive line were wearing down Miami’s defense. And after one humbling drive – where he ran over and hurt Michael Lehan, then stiff-armed Travis Daniels five yards out of bounds – the 77,197 fans at the Meadowlands knew it, too.

In his first breakout day as a Jet, Jones carried 25 times for 110 yards, including 19 for 92 in a bruising second half that saw the running game take control in a 31-28 win.

“As a running back you love to wear a defense down. You can get a feeling of how they’re feeling, and I felt our line was wearing them down,” said Jones. “They were getting tired and we were breaking off runs. That’s the best part of being a running back, when you can feel a defense wearing down.”

He had come in averaging just 2.9 yards per carry, and with six carries for 18 yards in the first half yesterday looked like more of the same. But he kept pounding away, and as the line fed off him, getting more physical at the point of attack and moving the pile even on obvious running downs.

“He’s got an excellent tone that he sets. Linemen love to be able to run the ball multiple times,” said Eric Mangini, a point seconded by guard Adrien Clarke.

“It feels good to buckle up our chin strap and just move the ball,” Clarke said. “We opened holes for him and when we didn’t he created holes. I take my hat off to him. If he doesn’t get the yards he’s supposed to, that’s on our back: We’ve got to open up more holes.”

Led by tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the line also neutralized Jason Taylor, holding him without a sack and rattling him into three second-half offsides penalties.

“(Ferguson) was key. Jason Taylor is one of the best in this league. He can single-handedly destroy a game. D’Brick did a great job,” said Thomas.

brian.lewis@nypost.com