New York Jets Stun Saints, Win Latest Round Of Rex And Rob Ryan Rivalry 26-20

The New York Jets up-ended the New Orleans Saints to the tune of 26-20 and Jets head coach Rex Ryan improved to 5-0 with his brother, Saints’ defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, across the field.

The Jets managed to stifle quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints offense, coaxing a rare pair of interceptions out of the veteran signal caller. New York managed enough offense to get it done, with Jets QB Geno Smith completing only 8 of his 19 pass attempts and throwing for a paltry 115 yards in the air. The Jets benefited from a Smith rushing touchdown and one from New York running back Chris Ivory, who scrambled for 139 yards on the day. Jets kicker Nick Folk contributed a season-high 4 field goals, tying a career high.

“They certainly were the better team today,” said Saints head coach Sean Payton. “The game really got one-dimensional, and part of that is on me.”

“It was just a great team effort,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said post-game. “We kept hanging in there and found a way.”

New York, who re-signed QB David Garrard earlier this season, have played a week-to-week season, alternating wins and losses since Week 1 of the 2013 campaign. Sitting 5-4 headed into their bye week, the Jets need to find some consistency if they hope to make it to the playoffs.

“They’ve won some big games, they beat us, they beat New England, beat Atlanta, that’s a tough place to play on Monday night,” opposing QB Drew Brees said of the Jets’ performance. “With a great defense — they can rush the passer and defend the run — a great run game, and a quarterback who can make some plays, you got a chance.”

After a week off, the New York Jets head to Buffalo in Week 11 action against the struggling Bills. To get their second win against their AFC East rival, New York will need to lock down their ground game and get Smith to improve his passing efficiency against the Bills’ middling defense. Their next big test will come in Week 15 against the surging Carolina Panthers, so the Jets need some momentum from match ups against Baltimore, Miami, and Oakland without looking past their opponents each week.

“I know one thing — we’ve got a group that’s willing,” Ryan said. “There is no doubt. And that’s the toughest thing.”

What do the New York Jets need to make it to the playoffs? Should Geno Smith remain the Jets’ starting QB? What can the New York Jets do for more consistency?

[Image Courtesy of GIFD Sports]