The Jets’ end-of-game strategy against the Saints two weeks ago still seems to be a mystery.
With 1:21 left to play and a six-point lead, the Jets ran the ball twice before taking a knee to run out the clock. They could have taken three knees to seal the win. But offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg still said running the ball on the first play was the right call.
“Yeah, it was 1:21 or 1:22. It was right on the number,” Mornhinweg said. “That’s a good question because I went back and studied that. The thought was, ‘OK, let’s run the ball twice and then probably be able to take a knee cause it will be under.’ After that first down, heck 10 seconds came off the clock. I didn’t catch that, that’s my responsibility. Ten seconds, heck I was expecting four to six. On first down [it was] really reasonable to run the ball. I will always victory it when the game is over, clearly over. Always.
“It wasn’t clearly over there, it was right on the number. My thought was run the ball twice, well shoot 10 seconds ran off. It was clearly under after the 10 seconds ran off on second down. And then you saw what we done on third down, we let it run all the way down and then, “Oh, [shoot].” There it is. It was pretty clear there.”
The Jets ran Bilal Powell for a loss of 1 on first down and the Saints called a timeout with 1:11 left. They ran it again with Powell for no gain before letting the clock run down to 27 seconds and taking a timeout before kneeling to ice the game.
It ended up not hurting the Jets, but could have been disastrous if Powell fumbled in that situation.
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The Jets did not have WR Jeremy Kerley (elbow) at practice again Thursday and coach Rex Ryan said he won’t play Sunday.
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OLB Garrett McIntyre (knee) also did not practice. TE Kellen Winlsow did not practice, but it was a planned day off for him as the Jets have done all season.
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The Bills did not have WR Stevie Johnson (groin) at practice, and it looks as if he may not play.
Nevertheless, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said the Jets are preparing like Johnson will play.
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Bills DT Kyle Williams (Achilles) practiced fully after missing Wednesday’s practice.