The Jets went to great lengths to improve their rushing game this offseason. They signed free-agent Mike Goodson and made a draft day trade for Chris Ivory.
It turns out their best option already may have been in the building.
Third-year back Bilal Powell had a huge day against the Bills on Sunday, rushing for a career-high 149 yards on 27 carries and giving the Jets a spark in the running game they’ve lacked.
“What a day. What a day,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “He’s fighting for every yard. We’ve seen this from him, though. It’s not like we’re surprised by it. It’s just, wow. He’s durable, dependable and just a much better player I think that has been given credit to him.”
Powell got a large workload after Ivory went down with a hamstring injury in the first half. Ryan said Ivory pulled his hamstring, but was not certain about the severity. Ivory missed much of training camp with the same injury.
Goodson is suspended through next Sunday, so it appears Powell will be the workhorse back for the time being.
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Ryan needs a class in challenges. He challenged two plays in the third quarter and lost both, meaning he did not have one when he needed it.
Ryan first challenged a spot after a third down and lost that call. He then challenged and lost on a sideline catch by Stevie Johnson, using up his allotment of challenges and losing two timeouts in the process.
Moments later, Bills quarterback EJ Manuel appeared to fumble, but the officials ruled him down. Ryan, with no challenges, could not fight the call. The Bills scored on the drive to tie the game 20-20.
“Well, yeah of course, then,” Ryan said when asked if he regretted using the challenges. “Absolutely. They’re my responsibility. I’ve got to do a better job of making those challenges.”
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Kyle Wilson was not the only Jet who had penalty problems. Guard Vlad Ducasse was flagged four times for a variety of infractions. He had two false starts, a face mask and a hold. … OLB Quinton Coples made his first start of the season, returning from a broken ankle he suffered in the preseason. “It felt good to be out there fighting with my brothers,” Coples said. “Ankle held up, but I was limited. I was going back and forth. They had a certain amount of plays they were going to give me. There were no issues at all [with the ankle].”
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Stephen Hill’s touchdown in the second quarter was the first by a Jets wide receiver since Week 11 last season when Chaz Schilens hauled in a touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez.