Jets on good foot again
Myers’ 7 field goals tie franchise record, help N.Y. win second in row
With Joe Namath and the Super Bowl Iii-winning squad watching, Jason Myers kicked a franchise-record seven field goals, Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes, and the New York Jets held on to beat the Indianapolis Colts 42-34 on Sunday to win consecutive games for the first time in more than a year.
“The game wasn’t perfect, by no means,” coach Todd Bowles said. “With the growth of the team, we probably would’ve lost this one a year ago or a couple of weeks ago. So, to win ugly, for us, is a pretty good thing.”
Morris Claiborne returned the first of three interceptions thrown by Andrew Luck for a touchdown as the Jets (3-3) moved to .500 by taking advantage of mistakes by the shorthanded Colts (1-5), who lost their fourth straight.
“It’s one of those bittersweet victories,” Claiborne said. “You played well enough to win the game, but you feel like you could’ve played a lot better. You never want to give up that many points.”
Darnold was 24-for-30 for 280 yards, with TD throws to Terrelle Pryor and Chris Herndon and an interception to give New York its first back-to-back victories since taking three in a row in Weeks 3-5 last season.
“We’re definitely back in the thick of things,” Darnold said.
“But at the same time, we’re not satisfied.”
Myers hit field goals from 30, 48, 32, 37, 45, 37 and 45 yards to break the Jets record previously held by Jim Turner (1968) and Bobby Howfield (1972).
“It’s more important that we got the win,” Myers said, “but being able to help out and do what I can that way, that’s what’s most important to me.”
Luck was 23-for-43 for 301 yards with touchdowns to Marcus Johnson, Eric Ebron, Erik Swoope and Chester Rogers, the last coming with 1:51 left to make the score close.
Neal Sterling recovered the Colts’ onside kick to seal the win
for the Jets.
It all had Luck pondering whether it’s tough finding the joy in football.
“At times, especially when I do things — stupid is the only word that comes to mind,” he said. “We do some silly things to ourselves, but when it comes to having fun playing, I’m having fun playing.”
The Colts were playing without several starters, including wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, defensive linemen Denico Autry and Margus Hunt, tight end Jack Doyle, safety Clayton Geathers and right tackle Denzelle Good.
Luck kept trying unsuccessfully to bring the Colts back, but four plays after Darron Lee’s interception gave the Jets the ball at the Colts 25, Myers’ 37-yarder made it 39-27.
“It’s a bit frustrating,” Luck said. “I feel a bit like a broken record. Talking about it is the easy part. It’s doing it. It’s living it.”