Broncos 34, Jets 17: It's Time to Shut Down the Hype Machine

I guess we can slow down on all that New York-New York Super Bowl talk, huh? A week after getting manhandled by the Raiders, the Broncos came east and did the same to the Jets, ending the New York side's five-game winning streak and putting a cap into the premature notion of the Big Apple relocating to Tampa come February.

It was a disturbing return to the early part of the season for the Jets. Abysmal play calling by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer marked those rougher times and returned for an unwanted encore at the Meadowlands today. Thomas Jones carved up the Bronco defense in the first half but Schottenheimer insisted on calling empty backfields, passes on short yardage plays and, disastrously, a pitched reverse to Jerricho Cotchery. That final one led to a fumble and touchdown for the Broncos in the first quarter and set the tone for a frustrating day.

Even more troubling than the return of evil Schottenheimer, though, was the complete no-show by the Jets defense. Peyton Hillis gashed the normally stout Jets for nearly six yards a carry and Jay Cutler continued to expose the Jets secondary as Darrelle Revis and a band of clowns masquerading as NFL defensive backs. Brandon Marshall was held to five catches for 55 yards, but Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokely, Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham combined for 20 catches, 277 yards and two touchdowns.

The win, coupled with the latest Charger loss, essentially guarantees the Broncos a division title. At 7-5, they are just a game back of the Jets as well, with the tiebreaker obviously, and could find their way into the three seed if everything breaks their way. It's a win that should get them a little confidence back after last week's humiliation.

The Jets, on the other hand, looked like a team that saw the windy, rainy weather and decided they'd rather be in bed. A letdown after the road wins in New England and Tennessee was forseeable and Eric Mangini must bear the brunt of the criticism for allowing it to happen. The Broncos, for all their struggles, weren't a team that was going to roll over because everyone is talking big about the Jets.

The Steelers win allows them to still say they are division leaders but I don't expect to hear much about how the AFC should quake in fear of the Jets this week.