NFL Bowles remains confident in winless Jets

NEW YORK » Things appear pretty bleak for the New York Jets just two games into the season. The dismal 0-2 start is certainly no surprise, especially to the many fans and media who struggled to find a possible win while handicapping the schedule in the preseason.

In a rebuilding year with a revamped roster, the odds are stacked against Todd Bowles’ bunch. But the coach is trying to focus on the positives after road losses to Buffalo and Oakland by a combined 66-32.

“Well, we’re still learning about the identity part, but I know we have a lot of fight in us,” Bowles said during a conference call. “We just have to not make the mistakes we’ve been making.”

The Jets held their own in Oakland for most of the first half Sun-

day before a muffed punt by Kalif Raymond swung the momentum to the Raiders with 1:50 left.

Three plays later, Marshawn Lynch went up the middle for a touchdown that turned a 14-10 deficit into a 21-10 hole — and things snowballed from there for New York before falling 45-20 .

Next up is the Jets’ home opener Sunday against the AFC East-rival Miami Dolphins (1-0), followed by another game the next weekend at MetLife Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1).

“We understand what kind of game this is, a division game,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “It’s a must-win for us.”

Yes, in Week 3, they’re already talking in make-orbreak terms.

“I think we’re at the point where I don’t look at it as a test, in terms of becoming divided or anything like that,” center Wesley Johnson said. “We just want to win.”

While many fans are daydreaming about getting the possible No. 1 overall draft pick and spending their Saturdays channel surfing while scouting potential franchise quarterbacks, the Jets are thinking only about salvaging their season.