Defense Doesn’t Rest, Scores Twice

It wasn’t pretty. The New York Jets didn’t care.

After all the criticism heaped on them last week, the Jets found reassurance in a sloppy 42-36 victory Sunday over the bumbling Buffalo Bills.

“We were able to get the victory. And we needed it,” running back Curtis Martin said. “For myself, it’s like we lifted the hex, lifted the curse. Just for confidence. We all want to keep the hope alive and keep the faith. But if you keep losing, it starts to whither.”

Martin scored two touchdowns and rushed for 135 yards in 20 carries in a breakout performance for the Jets’ much-maligned offense. New York’s defense also showed improvement despite the final score.

After allowing 233 yards rushing in a 19-17 loss to San Francisco last Monday, the Jets responded by forcing four turnovers that led to New York touchdowns, including fumble returns of four yards by John Abraham and 15 yards by Mo Lewis.

The Jets (2-2) survived a couple of comeback threats, led by Buffalo backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt, who took over after starter Rob Johnson pinched a nerve in his back when he was elbowed by Lewis late in the first quarter.

Van Pelt threw for three touchdowns, his first in four years, and almost brought the Bills back from a 28-9 deficit.

The Bills (0-4) are off to their worst start since going 0-6 in 1985. Buffalo has lost five in a row at home for the first time since 1984. They have been outscored, 132-61, in that stretch, which dates to last season.

The Bills rallied to cut New York’s lead to 28-22 when Van Pelt hit Peerless Price for a 70-yard touchdown to start the third quarter.

New York responded with two touchdowns-Anthony Becht’s two-yard reception and Lewis’ 15-yard fumble return-in a span of 64 seconds to seal the victory.