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Jets defeat Bills to improve to 5-3 at halfway point

Nov 2, 2008 - 11:14 PM ORCHARD PARK, New York (Ticker) -- With Brett Favre's propensity for throwing interceptions, his first season with the New York Jets has resembled a roller coaster ride.

For the second time in as many weeks, Favre had an interception returned for a touchdown, but the Jets overcame the mistake to defeat the Buffalo Bills, 26-17, on Sunday.

"All I know is we won the game," Favre said. "It was a huge win. That win feels as good as any win I've been a part of . For the most part, we handled what they wanted to do."

Safety Abram Elam returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown and Jay Feely kicked four field goals for the Jets, who reached the midpoint of the season at 5-3.

While Favre has thrown at least one interception in seven straight games, New York tied Buffalo for second place in the AFC East and is in prime position to make a run for a playoff spot in the second half of the season.

"All three phases of our game did positive things," said New York coach Eric Mangini, whose club surpassed its win total from last season (4-12). "A win on the road against a tough division opponent is always a really good thing."

New York had to settle for a pair of field goals early, but Elam's long return put the Jets ahead to stay at 13-7 with 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

"My coach gave me good keys to what to expect and I just believed what I saw and I was able to come away with a play," Elam said.

Favre completed 19-of-28 passes for 201 yards as the Jets executed a conservative game plan, especially in the red zone. New York managed just one touchdown on six trips inside Buffalo's 20-yard line.

With 11 interceptions coming into Sunday's game, Favre was asked by Mangini to not take as many chances. Favre obliged, as the Jets executed a safe passing game with most of his tosses in the 10-15 yard range.

The Jets seemed to be in control after a 1-yard TD by Thomas Jones made it 23-10 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.

But Favre reverted to his old ways with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, throwing across his body while being rushed.

Cornerback Jabari Greer stepped in front of a pass intended for for tight end James Dearth and returned it 42 yards down the right sideline for an easy score.

"The challenge is the decision making, being precise," Favre added. "They got me on the one (interception). They pressured us a few times, not a lot."

The Jets answered with a 14-play, 65-yard drive that took nearly nine minutes of the clock and kept Buffalo's offense off the field for most of the final quarter.

During the methodical drive, the biggest gain by the Jets was a 7-yard run Jones. New York put away the contest on Feely's 31-yard field goal with 2:16 remaining.

Trent Edwards completed 24-of-35 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown for the Bills, who failed to generate a running game throughout. Buffalo was held to just 30 yards rushing on 17 carries.

"We have to find ways to get open, get a little more creative," Buffalo wide receiver Lee Evans said. "I think we did some of that throughout the game. We didn't execute it enough all game long."

Marshawn Lynch missed most of the second quarter while taking ill on the sidelines and was limited to 16 yards on nine attempts after returning in the second half.

The Jets forced three turnovers, intercepting Edwards twice, and kept the Bills out of the end zone after Edwards tossed a 9-yard TD pass to rookie Derrick Fine on Buffalo's first possession of the game.

"What I really like about today is that we played Jets football," New York defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said. "We kept fighting and that's what it's going to take to make us a good team."