The one time the Jets got some momentum going offensively during yesterday’s 34-17 loss, the Broncos broke that momentum in a strange way – by getting injured.
Three Broncos stopped play by lying on the field injured on consecutive plays on a Jets drive in the third quarter. Play stopped and the Jets were slowed. The drive ended up in a Jay Feely field goal, cutting Denver’s lead to 27-17.
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The timing raised eyebrows in the Jets locker room.
“I’ll just be interested to see their injury report and see how many guys are on their injury report,” guard Brandon Moore said. “I think that will tell something. We’ll see.”
The injury parade began after Leon Washington raced for 34 yards on a screen pass. Spencer Larsen went down after the play. Brett Favre hit Washington for 14 yards on the next play, and Ebenezer Ekuban stayed down this time. The next play went to Washington again for 12, and this time Dre Bly remained on the ground.
The halted play slowed the Jets’ rhythm and the drive died on the 12-yard line. Jets fans booed several of the players for staying down, possibly for keeping them longer in the rain. The boos inspired the Broncos.
“We thank the Jets fans for booing when our guys were down,” receiver Brandon Marshall said. “We took it personal.”
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The Broncos thought they might be able to have success with their tight ends, and they were right. Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham carved up the Jets, combining for 149 yards on 13 catches.
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RB Thomas Jones went over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season, the second as a Jet. Jones’ 11 rushing touchdowns this season leaves him one behind Curtis Martin for the Jets’ single-season record. Martin had 12 in 2004.