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Jets roll over Chiefs for third straight win

Dec 11, 2011 - 10:58 PM East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Mark Sanchez threw two touchdown passes and added a pair of scores on the ground, as the playoff-hopeful New York Jets overpowered the Kansas City Chiefs, 37-10.

Shonn Greene gained a season-high 129 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown for the Jets (8-5), who extended their winning streak to three games.

"We've just got to keep focusing on our next opponent, that's what we've done," said Jets head coach Rex Ryan on his team's playoff chances. "We don't worry about the rest of the league, we've just got to take care of ourselves. If we don't take care of ourselves, it doesn't matter what the rest of the league does."

Sanchez had 181 yards through the air.

Tyler Palko finished with 195 yards, one touchdown and an interception on 16- of-32 passing for Kansas City (5-8), which hasn't scored more than 10 points in any of its last six games.

The Jets marched 77 yards in 11 plays to begin the game. Sanchez capped the opening drive by scoring on a bootleg from a yard out.

Kansas City started its second offensive series from the New York 41, but again failed to record a first down. Ryan Succop kicked a 53-yard field goal to put the visitors on the board with 4:36 to go in the first quarter.

New York padded its lead in the second quarter with the help of an interception by Jim Leonhard, who suffered a right knee injury on the play. Leonhard picked off a Palko pass intended for Steve Breaston, but got hurt while trying to get away from Breaston on the return.

Following the turnover, Sanchez hit Greene on a short toss and the running back made his way to the Kansas City two for a 36-yard gain. Two plays later, Sanchez found Santonio Holmes in the end zone.

New York's lead ballooned to 28-3 at halftime when Greene scored on a seven- yard run and LaDainian Tomlinson took a screen pass all the way for a 19-yard TD.

In the third quarter, Sanchez capped a penalty-filled drive with a three-yard score.

The Chiefs finally reached the end zone in the fourth quarter when Palko threaded the needle down the field through three New York defenders for a 24- yard touchdown pass to Jerheme Urban.

New York's defense completed the scoring with a safety when Jackie Battle was stuffed in the end zone on a rush attempt from his own one-yard line.

"The Jets put [on] a lot of pressure, that's just what they do," Palko said. "They have guys all over the place. It seems like they play with 12 or 13 guys sometimes. I thought for the most part in the second half we did some good things. We had good protection schemes, the offensive line did a good job adjusting. It was frustrating starting a game like we did today."

Game Notes

Sanchez, who completed 13-of-21 passes, has five rushing touchdowns this season, a new career high...Greene had 58 yards on three receptions...The Chiefs had just four total yards and one first down during the first half...Kansas City was limited to 65 yards rushing, led by Battle's 33...The Jets have reached the end zone in 12 straight red-zone drives...New York improved to 6-1 at home this season...Holmes has caught a TD pass in three straight games.