The Jets ground and pound game finally got going last weekend, with Shonn Greene running roughshod over Indianapolis in a 35-9 win. But they know rushing the ball tomorrow against the Patriots in New England will be an entirely different challenge, and they’ll be trying to do it with a potentially shorthanded backfield at that.
“We just have to stay with [the ground game] and continue, even though sometimes it’s not going to be good. We have to keep consistent with it and we’ll be all right,’’ Greene said. “We have an opportunity, so hopefully we can seize it. We look forward to the challenge, and going out and executing and winning the game.’’
Greene ran for 161 yards and three scores Sunday. But Bilal Powell is doubtful for tomorrow because of a dislocated right shoulder and Joe McKnight questionable and a game-time decision with a high ankle sprain. The Jets are so thin at running back they may have to turn to Tim Tebow in the backfield.
“I just do what I’m asked to, and try to do the best I can. … I practiced carrying the ball a few times,’’ Tebow said.
He could be used more in the Wildcat, but was coy about the unlikely possibility of carrying the ball from a running back position, something he hasn’t done since his freshman year at Florida.
“If running back is carrying the ball, then sure,’’ he said.
The Jets will take any edge they can get against one of the NFL’s top run defenses.
“But I still think you’ve got to run it, there’s no question about that,’’ coach Rex Ryan said. “Having Vince [Wilfork] in the middle, Indianapolis doesn’t have anybody like that, [But] a lot of teams in this league don’t have anybody like that. He’s an unusual guy, a big stout guy in the middle. In a short area, this guy’s got unusual quickness for a man his size.
“But there’s other good players as well, both their inside linebackers are good and they’ve got the [Kyle] Love kid [who] is pretty good as well. So it’s a solid front seven. Without question it’s going to be tough to run the ball. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t think we can run the ball.’’
They may have to; and therein lies the rub. The Jets running game relies more on brute force than finesse, but the Patriots’ trio of the hulking Wilfork and linebackers Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo behind him has been the Bermuda Triangle where running games go to die. Their defense is third-stingiest in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per carry (3.4), fourth in touchdowns (two) and fifth in yards allowed per game (82.7).
“They’re a heck of a front seven, they get after it. It’s going to be a difficult task for us and we’re going to have to be ready to play,’’ said center Nick Mangold, who is listed as questionable because of an ankle injury but seems likely to suit up. “It’s always a big challenge going up there, so it’s an exciting game.’’
A solid week of working the fundamentals in practice paid dividends last Sunday, handling the Colts’ double-teams and closing off the backside pursuit on Greene. But the job will be much tougher against the Patriots and their ball-stripping defense.
“Hard work on the practice field paid off,’’ Ryan said. “We did a better job on the back side than we’d done in the previous weeks. That allowed Shonn to get a little bit of room, and he doesn’t need much: We just need to get some.’’