Jets Take Advantage of Turnovers and Bad Night for Colts Offense

The New York Jets (2-0) didn’t need an exotic offensive game plan to win 20-7 tonight over the Indianapolis Colts (0-2). All they needed was a couple passes here and there, some unsung running backs, and a stingy defense to help them preserve their undefeated record.

Running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell didn’t even score a touchdown between them tonight, but their determined running and unselfish play helped to will the Jets to victory.

Ivory carried 14 times for 57 yards tonight. Included in Ivory’s service, was his being determined to either gain yards or punish defenders. Even when he got short gains he was fired up, with him also either arguing or displaying playful banter with Colts defenders. As comedian Kevin Hart would say, Chris Ivory was “turnt” up tonight. And the Jets benefited from his being “tunrt” up.

The Jets got on the board first, when receiver Eric Decker (8 catches for 97 yards and 1 score) got behind the Colts defense and latched onto a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass, with the receiver then getting into the end zone for a 6 yard scoring play. It was 7-0 Jets with 6:44 left in the first quarter. That was Decker’s 40th touchdown of his career and also that touchdown catch was the 300th reception of his six-year career. As well, Fitzpatrick went 22 of 34 for 244 yards, 2 touchdown passes, and 1 interception.

Colts strong safety Mike Adams ended a potential Jets scoring drive, when he intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass that sailed over the head of intended receiver Brandon Marshall (7 catches for 101 yards and 1 score) and into the corner of the end zone, with the ball ending up in the hands of Adams.

By virtue of Adams’ pick, the Colts took over at the IND 20 yard line with around eight minutes left in the second half. But the Colts didn’t take advantage of Adams’ marvelous interception. Because on 3rd and 1 from the IND 29, Andrew Luck (21 of 37 for 250 yards, 1 interception, and 3 picks) threw a pass towards receiver Andre Johnson, but it was broken up by Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie which forced a Pat McAfee punt.

On the ensuing drive, the Jets got the ball all the way to the IND 17 yard line. But Fitzpatrick misconnected with running back Powell (12 carries for 38 yards) on 3rd and 8. Placekicker Nick Folk came in and converted a 35 yard field goal that gave his team a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter.

Then the Jets received another gift when cornerback Darrelle Revis recovered a Luck fumble at the IND 41, but as he tried to find room to run he had to go backwards. So, he ended up being tackled at the IND 44. On five plays on their ensuing drive, the Jets couldn’t punch it into the end zone. So, Folk came in to convert a 46 yard field goal that he missed. Halftime.

It took early in the fourth quarter for the Colts to finally mount a serious scoring drive. On 1st and 10 from the IND 22, Luck found an open T.Y. Hilton (4 catches for 45 yards) down field, who took the pass down the left sideline and to the IND 49 for a 27 yard gain. But Hilton left the game after that play with an ankle injury. But he returned two plays later. And on the play he returned on, second-year receiver Donte Moncrief (7 catches for 122 yards and 1 score) ran an intermediate crossing route, got open, and then secured a Luck pass, with him finally sprinting to the end zone. That 26 yard scoring play sliced the Jets lead to 10-7 with 10:07 left in the game.

The Jets essentially put this game away, when Fitzpatrick found Marshall for a down the right sideline 15 yard connection. Marshall on the play, beat close coverage from cornerback Jalil Brown to catch the pass, and then bullied Brown and Adams into the right corner of the end zone. It was 17-7 Jets with 6:20 left in the game.

If the Colts were looking to make a comeback, those plans died a cruel death on their ensuing drive. Because after a roughing the passer penalty on Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples—–which stripped him of his first sack of the young 2015 season—–and a helpful reception by Johnson to the IND 44, the Jets’ strong safety Marcus Gilchrist ended the drive with a marvelous interception at the NYJ 38. Gilchrist on the play, came over from his safety position and stole Luck’s pass and then managed to keep both of his feet in bounds, with him then falling on his back out of bounds in front of the Colts’ bench.

The Jets on their ensuing drive, were concerned with running out the clock and preserving their undefeated record. Because on this drive all they did was run the ball on seven out of eight plays, with Powell being the recipient of all seven running plays. An interesting note on this drive, was that Powell gained all of his 38 yards in this game on this drive. From the first quarter up until the Jets’ last offensive drive of the game, Powell was an extra pass blocker or receiver out of the backfield.

But with 1:02 left in the game and on 4th and 12, the Jets sent in Folk to try a field goal. This time he made the field goal try from 46 yards and the Jets had a 20-7 lead with around a minute left the game.

The Colts on their next drive were concerned with running a hurry-up offense, as to try to get a score and then execute an onside kick. But it didn’t work because there wasn’t enough time.