Dual ThreatRBs Matt Forte (82 yards) and Bilal Powel (76 yards) had their most productive outing on the ground this season in the Jets' 31-28 win over the Browns, combining for 158 yards on 31 carries. It marked the first time two Jets running backs had gained at least 75 yards rushing since 2012 (Shonn Greene & Powell).
Forté, who passed Marshawn Lynch for 35th all-time on the NFL's all-time rushing list, also recorded his 50th and 51st rushing touchdowns. In doing so, Forté became the sixth player in NFL history to amass 9,000 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns and 500 receptions.
Powell put the Jets on the board with a 35-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter, the longest play on the ground for the offense this season. The Louisville product finished the day with a season-high 76 yards on six carries and leads the NFL in yards per rush (7.1) for backs with at least 30 attempts.
"I think it's awesome. I think they're very similar," said RT Breno Giacomini, who saw his first game action of the season Sunday against Cleveland. "They hit the hole hard, they just keep running their feet."
Tale of Two HalvesThe Jets offense took some time to find a groove. After tallying 106 total yards in the first half, the Green & White took off, gaining 287 yards and converting five of their eight third down plays en route to a 24-point second half.
"We made a few adjustments in some of the stuff that we were doing, but really we just executed better," said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. "There were so many things we didn't do well in the first half. We were able to create some big plays whether it was through the run game or the pass game. We did a much better job of executing what we were trying to get done. The first half it just always seemed like one thing here or there and we were able to overcome a lot of those things in the second half."
Hit the Ground RunningThe Jets, who entered Week 7 with two interceptions, have doubled that total over the past two weeks. While turnovers remain a focal point for Todd Bowles, he also stressed the importance of starting fast in his conference call Monday as the Green & White have only scored 26 total points in the first quarter.
"Some people try to overdo their jobs and sometimes they make a good play here or there," Bowles said. "We have to find a way to have better chemistry and get off to a quicker start somehow. Whether we have to run it more to get that extra yard or throw it more, the execution all around needs to be better on both sides."
Self-ReflectionJets LB David Harris has seen the good, the bad and the ugly throughout his 10-year career. Entering the second half the 2016 season, Harris took a minute to evaluate the team's first eight weeks.
"Obviously nobody thought we'd be at this 3-5 mark," he said. "But guys keep fighting, we're still playing hard and we're still going to grind this thing out to the end."
InjuriesBowles said TE Kellen Davis, who left the game in the second half, is getting X-rays on his elbow today.
