There’s a distinct feeling among the Jets offensive players as they ready themselves to go to Indianapolis for Sunday’s AFC Championship game that they’re bringing a more potent arsenal than they brought there a month ago.
The Jets’ offense believes the Colts ain’t seen nothing yet.
After all, the Jets went into that Colts game 7-7 and offensively challenged having come off a 10-7 loss to the Falcons in which Mark Sanchez threw three of his 20 interceptions.
The 29-15 victory over the Colts in Week 16 was when things started to turn around for the Jets’ offense. Sanchez played one of his most efficient games, and rookie running back Shonn Greene ran for 95 yards.
Since then, Sanchez has made some huge plays and turned the ball over just once, Greene has emerged as a playoff hero, and tight end Dustin Keller has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two games.
“It’s amazing,” Jets backup quarterback Kellen Clemens said yesterday. “What’s it been, four weeks since we played [the Colts]? In four weeks we are a different opponent offensively for them to look at. Part of that is scheme, but a large part of that is confidence.
“We all have a swagger about us now when we go out onto the field. Before, it was more conservative. We’re carrying our weight. We’re finding a rhythm. Just at the right time, we’re peaking and establishing of what our identity is.”
Indeed, Greene has rushed for 420 yards and two touchdowns in the last four games, including 263 in the two playoff games. “The kid is a stud,” Clemens said.
Sanchez has been at his sharpest in these four games and Keller has finally becomes a scoring threat.
“We’re definitely more [in] rhythm with each other,” left guard Alan Faneca said. “Mark’s play has stepped up. Shonn has stepped onto the scene and provided big plays. As an offense, we are better than we were back then.”
Right tackle Damien Woody said the offense has been playing “at a higher level.”
“We’re bringing a little bit more horsepower into the game and that’s a good thing,” Woody said. “I definitely do think the maturing of some of our players down the stretch has really built up the confidence level going into this game. Guys are starting to become big-time players making plays on the big stage. That can only increase the confidence level of our offense.”
Said Keller: “We don’t have to depend on the defense as much. I think we’re doing more than holding our own now.”
Right guard Brandon Moore said, “We are a better team than we were in that last game against the Colts. We’re definitely going in there with a little more confidence. I feel comfortable with what we’re doing.”
Many of the players have credited offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for hitting a stride with his use of the talent.
“Obviously, the passing game has been the slowest thing for us to develop,” Schottenheimer said. “You’ve got a rookie quarterback, we added Braylon [Edwards] late, and there’s a feel in a passing game, a trust you don’t develop overnight. We feel like we haven’t hit our mark, but we feel like we’re getting closer.
“I think people could get surprised by things we’re capable of doing,” Schottenheimer added. “We have different ways of attacking people. We’re a confident group right now, in all phases. I think that’ll carry over into this weekend’s game.”
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com