A Week Off Does Wonders for Jets

Vinny Testaverde threw three touchdown passes. Curtis Martin gained key yards. The defense had seven sacks, forced four turnovers and stopped Travis Henry.

Could these be the same New York Jets who did nothing right in a bumbling 0-4 start?

Well, they sure were. The Jets won after their bye week yet again, this time routing the Buffalo Bills, 30-3, Sunday for their first victory of the season.

Martin came through. The defense came through. And Testaverde came through, helping the Jets break out of their offensive lull.

Before the bye week, the Jets could not run or stop the run and could barely score, especially inside the 20. Against the Bills, those problems seemed to be solved.

Martin ran for a season-high 77 yards in 20 carries as the Jets finally got their running game going, tallying more than 100 total yards on the ground for the first time this season.

The Jets held Henry to 53 yards in 18 carries -- though he did catch seven passes for 35 yards as Buffalo (3-3) played without top receiver Eric Moulds, out because of a strained groin.

Testaverde finished 11 of 17 for 130 yards and threw three touchdown passes in a game for the first time since tossing five in a 40-37 overtime victory over Miami on Oct. 23, 2000.

It should be one of his final starts for the Jets this season. Starter Chad Pennington, out since the preseason because of a broken and dislocated left wrist, began practicing this week and worked out at the Meadowlands before the game.

Pennington could return as early as Oct. 26 against the Eagles.

The Jets improved to 3-0 after a week off under Coach Herman Edwards.

Last season, they were 1-4 before their bye but finished the season with the AFC East title and a 9-7 record.