Overshadowed by Jets' third consecutive loss, second-year WR Robby Anderson had a career performance Sunday.
In eclipsing 100 yards receiving for the first time, Anderson became the Green & White's first player this season to eclipse the century mark. A week after the second-year wideout tossed his helmet to the ground in frustration in the waning seconds against the Dolphins, the South Florida native reeled in all six targets for 104 yards and a touchdown, despite the slick conditions.
"I always feel like I have something to prove," said Anderson. "I always come out with that attitude. I keep that chip on my shoulder because I know a lot of people doubt me. On top of that, I have something to prove to my teammates. I want them to know they're going to get my all day in and day out."
Late in the second quarter, Anderson beat Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant down the sideline and hauled in a 24-yard touchdown catch that put the Jets up 17-10.
"Just the want-to and film study," said Anderson, who has caught a pair of receiving touchdowns in the last two games. "That's probably the biggest thing, especially on the touchdown and the deep ball. The release made it an easy throw for Josh and that just comes from film study, extra work and preparation."
Jets quarterback Josh McCown praised Anderson after the game for hauling in all of his targets. Late in the third quarter, McCown turned to the Temple product down the left sideline and the lanky wideout reeled in a diving 32-yard grab that set the Jets up in plus-territory.
"He was excellent," McCown said of Anderson, who leads the team with 435 receiving yards and eight receptions of 20 yards or longer. "Robby is continuing to step into that next realm of the player we believe he can be. He does it every week, he's consistent. He caught the ball extremely well given these conditions. He had that one that almost popped out, but was able to focus and bring that one down. I can't say enough about him. He's a heck of a player and heck of a competitor. I'm glad he's on our team."
The 38-year-old signal caller also turned to the speedy receiver for a 24-yard catch-and-run that eventually led to Chandler Catanzaro's second field goal of the game to cut the deficit to 22-20 with 8:46 remaining in regulation.
"He did a phenomenal job today," WR Jermaine Kearse said of Anderson. "I'm really proud of the way he battled out there and competed. It's always nice to see guys like that, when you're in that room with him and you see the work he puts in. It's really nice to see."
However, the 6'3", 190-pounder was in no mood to celebrate a career first.
"I would have felt a whole lot better if we would have came out on top," he said.
