Jets Soar to 35-3 Lead, Then Coast : O’Brien, McNeil Lead New York to 35-17 Win Over Colts

The New York Jets built up a 35-3 halftime lead, then held on for a 35-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday.

Ken O’Brien threw for 164 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes and Freeman McNeil rushed for 149 yards in 26 carries Sunday to lead the Jets offensively.

Defensively, cornerback Kerry Glenn was the star, recovering two first-half fumbles and intercepting a pass. The Jets’ defense, ranked first in the AFC, had six sacks and pressured Indianapolis quarterbacks throughout the game.

The Jets (7-2) maintained their one-game lead in the AFC East, while the Colts slipped to 3-6.

The Jets totaled only 66 yards of offense in the second half, but the game was already out of reach for the Colts.

“I think our team is coming along pretty nicely,” Jet Coach Joe Walton said. “But I have a lot of respect for the Colts. They played us a hell of a game in the second half.”

The Jets scored on five of their first six possessions, including three times in less than four minutes in the second quarter.

O’Brien’s second touchdown pass, a seven-yard toss to Wesley Walker that capped a 76-yard drive midway through the second period, started the Jets’ game-breaking streak.

“There were those fumbles, and they led to two touchdowns,” Indianapolis Coach Rod Dowhower said. “They put pressure on our quarterback, and that led to points. We weren’t able to run the ball after we got so far behind, and we had to pass to get it downfield.”

The Colts managed only two rushing first downs--one in each half--and netted only 51 yards on the ground the entire game. They converted on just 2 of 12 third-down plays.

“O’Brien has come a long way,” Dowhower said of the third-year Jet quarterback, who has passed for 1,793 yards and 11 touchdowns and leads the AFC in lowest interception percentage. “He has a lot of poise, and their offensive line comes off the ball well.”

After O’Brien’s touchdown pass to Walker with 6:21 left in the second quarter, New York regained possession of the ball on the Colts’ first play from scrimmage. Pat Beach fumbled a pass reception from quarterback Mike Pagel and Glenn recovered at the Indianapolis 12. Two plays later, O’Brien passed nine yards to Rocky Klever for the touchdown.

Pagel completed a 17-yard pass to George Wonsley to start the next series, but Wonsley fumbled on the following play and Glenn recovered again at the Colts’ 42. This time, it took four plays, with reserve fullback Dennis Bligen running 28 yards for the touchdown that gave the Jets their 35-3 halftime lead.