Two Bills Drive

‘Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said the secret to the Jets’ efficient containment of Tennessee’s dangerous offense Monday night was not in being more aggressive with blitzes, but in “executing a lot better.”‘

‘”He made it plain to us that we would not leave the stadium unless we were 5-7,” Curtis Martin said. “And now we’re 5-7. When our leader stands up and says something, you feel obligated to carry it out. I think we all feed off his fire.”‘

‘Referring to Sunday’s game against the Bills (5-7) in Orchard Park, he said, “This is probably the most important game we’re going to play all year.”‘

‘”A lot of it is on me, my fault,” he continued. “I’ve got to do a better job. If I don’t, I don’t know. We’ve got to do something. So I’ve got to do a better job with this football team. I know that.”‘

‘To those who believe the Jets have used up their supply of miraculous finishes the past two seasons, Ray Mickens offered these defiant words: “We ain’t dead. We’re still playing. We ain’t going to let it die.”‘

‘Edwards, asked which loss this season eats at him most, said, “The first game of the season [in Washington, 16-13]. That was one where if we win that game it kind of propels you in a different direction. The game was tied, it was on the road with all the fanfare, and we had a chance to win it. If we win that game we get a little shot in the arm.”‘

‘”I’m just glad our head coach had the nerve to tell everybody we were going to win this game,” defensive tackle Josh Evans said.’

‘You can say all you want that the Jets are paid to play hard, that they’re professional athletes, that if losing a few games is the worst that ever happened to them, then their lives are pretty blah blah blah. But it’s not easy to do what Edwards has been able to do with the Jets after their 0-4 start this year.’

‘The Jets play the Dolphins in Miami on the final Sunday of the season. If either Cincinnati or Baltimore, currently tied for the AFC North lead, and Denver go 2-2 to finish the season 9-7, and the Jets beat Miami, the Jets would clinch the last playoff spot because they’d have a 9-3 conference record and the other teams involved in this complex mess would be 8-4.’

‘For only the second time this season the Jets held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing.’

‘In the past two seasons, Pennington is 11-6 as a starter. He has completed 388 of 571 passes — 67.9 percent — for 4,510 yards, 34 TDs and 12 interceptions. He has a passer rating of 102.7.’

‘Abraham is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game versus Buffalo. He tried to return two weeks ago against Jacksonville and re-injured himself, saying he tried to come back too soon.’

‘Already eliminated from defending their AFC East title – New England is 10-2 with four games left – and assuming the first wild-card berth goes to the AFC South runner-up between Indianapolis and Tennessee (both 9-3), the Jets would be aiming at the second wild-card spot. Miami (8-4) is leading the pack for that berth and it plays host to the Jets in the season finale Dec. 28. In order for the Jets to win that game and make the playoffs, they would need to also win their previous three (at Buffalo and against Pittsburgh and New England at home) while Miami wins no more than one of its next three (at New England, home against Philadelphia and at Buffalo).’

‘“Playing under anxiety, that helps you too when you know you’re playing with a respirator and that’s about all you’ve got,” Edwards said. “You know when they cut the hose off it’s over. We’re playing that way. It’s been dark for about two months now. There’s a little glimmer of light.”‘

‘Last season, the Bills surrendered 25 points a game, 27th worst in the NFL. This trip, at only 16 a game, Buffalo is a fraction of a point behind the leading Dolphins and Buccaneers.’