Houston Texans 23, NY Jets 17

After the humiliating home defeat to the 49ers last weekend, I went to this game without particularly high hopes that the Jets could actually even make a game of it against the undefeated Texans, let alone win.

It was a pleasant temperature for a Monday Night game, albeit a bit on the cool side. The temperatures were cool, but this is October, and you have to expect that kind of turbulent weather at this time of the year. Yes, it had been eighty degrees as recently as Friday, and felt like summer, even into Saturday. But it got cool Saturday night, was chilly all day Sunday and through to Monday. Fall was here, for sure. I still like to hike in shorts and t-shirt (although now, with perhaps a button down shirt over the t-shirt, as well), but I made sure to dress warm enough for the game, since I would be sitting in the rafters for hours.

So, we got to the game, and the feel was highly charged. There was Kevin James, he of King of Queens and comedy movie fame, simultaneously promoting his soon to be released new movie (Here Comes the Boom), trying to fire up the home crowd for the big game. Wesley Walker and Mark Gastineau were in the house, about to be honored by being added to the Jets "Ring of Honor", and their names would be added to the upper rafters. This was Monday Night Football, and the Jets were hosting one of the two remaining undefeated teams left in the NFL the Houston Texans (4-0 entering the game). Fireman Ed got into the act, getting the whole stadium to loudly chant the trademark "J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!" It was a  very exciting night, and the Jets players came out from the introduction looking psyched and ready to play. Everything just seemed to be in place.

Just one problem. The Houston Texans came out swinging, driving the ball down the field quickly and thoroughly on the first drive, which ended with a touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to a wide open Owen Daniels for an all too easy touchdown. Minutes into the first quarter, and the J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! found themselves down 7-0 already.

When the offense took the field and looked horrible, boos rained down, and memories of last weekend's embarrassment against San Fransisco before the Metlife Stadium home crowd seemed close. Perhaps history was repeating itself.

The Jets defense did tighten up the rest of the way. Well, for the most part, anyway. Arian Foster had a great day, and rather sliced the defense up at times, particularly on the only other touchdown drive that the Jets allowed early in the second quarter. Foster was a headache for the Jets all night, piling up an impressive 152 yards on 29 carries, including some runs where he broke out of the pack and ran freely downfield after the Jets defense seemed to have the Texans pinned deep in their own territory. He truly put on a clinic last night, and was untouched when he ran it in for six.

Still, the Jets offense had shown some sparks of life before Foster's touchdown, which made the score 14-7. Mark Sanchez, who came out on the first few series looking very much like the quarterback that had helped engineer San Fransisco's destruction of the Jets by throwing numerous picks and often seemingly targeting 49er defenders specifically, finally showed some of his old dazzle. Suddenly, he began to find his mark. Suddenly, he was throwing precise passes. For once, some of the Jets receivers were not letting sure passes slip through their hands. The Jets, behind a decisive and confident Mark Sanchez, engineered a touchdown drive to tie the game, as Sanchez found Jeff Cumberland in an over the helmet pass that Cumberland managed to bring down in the rear of the end zone, managing to bring both feet down inbounds. It was actually a breathtaking play, and re-energized the home crowd after a rough start.

Yet, despite these flashes of brilliance, the Jets were not able to maintain a high level of play for long enough to truly make this a potentially great game for them, and pull off the upset. They came close at times. Perhaps the turning point came right before the half, when, once again, Sanchez seemed to be in rare form, finding his man, standing in the pocket and showing confidence and leadership, as he marched his team down the field. The Jets were trailing 14-7, but a score right before the half could change the entire complexion of the game. Sanchez obviously intended to do just that, and the Jets were deep in Houston territory and in good position to score. Even if it they might not get the touchdown, a field goal looked like a sure thing.

But then, a pass from Sanchez was tipped and ended up being intercepted by rice McCain, who very nearly got himself a pick six. Instead, he returned the interception deep into Jets territory, to the 9 yard line, with very little time left in the half. They took a couple of shots at a touchdown, but made sure not to make any mistakes. Perhaps they played it too safe, and had to settle for the field goal, and a 17-7 lead at the half. Still, it was a pretty solid half of play for the Texans.

During halftime, Wesley Walker and Mark Gastineau were honored by being inducted into the "Ring of Fame", and there were special appearances by some notable Jets who have already been inducted, including Joe Klecko, Freeman McNeil, and the ever popular and legendary quarterback who led the Jets to their one and only Super Bowl championship more than four decades ago. Gastineau specifically addressed the crowd, scolding them and telling them not to boo, but to cheer their team on when they are down, because that is when they need it the most.

Maybe the home crowd listened, because they were indeed more supportive the rest of the way, for the most part.

The Jets actually outplayed Houston in the second half. After the Texans seemed to have the game firmly in hand with a methodical drive that culminated in a field goal to give them a 20-7 lead, McKnight took the subsequent kickoff and returned it 100 yards for a much needed touchdown. He was almost tackled right at the end, but dove into the end zone instead, and got the rare touchdown. The crowd suddenly burst into life, showing enthusiasm for a game that had previously seemed to be slipping away.

But for all intents and purposes, the rest of the game amounted to an exchange of field goals. The Houston defense bent at times, but did not break, and the Texans managed the clock beautifully, wearing down the Jets defense, and putting the offense in a precarious position at times. Ultimately, time just ran out for the Jets, and they were unable to convert on a drive late in the fourth quarter. Down 23-14 early in the fourth quarter, the Jets were threatening deep in Houston territory. But they failed to get a touchdown, with Sanchez receiving boos particularly after throwing a bad pass to the corner of the end zone, when nobody was really nearby. They settled for a field goal to pull within six, 23-17.

But they never managed to score again, as Houston ate the clock and, in effect, sealed the game when Sanchez, on the next Jet possession, threw another costly interception with less than two minutes left in the game. The Jets did manage to get the ball back one last time, but they were deep in their own territory and with four seconds left, had time for only one more play. Sanchez's pass was batted down harmlessly to  the ground, and the boos once again came pouring down, as a frustrated Jets home crowd went home disappointed yet again. Sanchez, who at times played very well, in fact, ended with 14 completions in 31 attempts for 230 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

By contrast, Matt Schaub was 14 of 28, for 209 yards and one touchdown, as well as one interception. But he was not as mistake prone, and proved more consistent and helpful for his team.

The Jets stay at home for a third consecutive weekend next week, hosting the Indianapolis Colts, and looking for their first home victory during that stretch. The Texans, who remain undefeated at 5-0, now will host the Green Bay Packers, who seem themselves to be struggling and going through a surprisingly difficult season. They are 2-3 right now.

Around the rest of the league:

So, the Texans made it to 5-0. In essence, they are in such a strong position in the AFC South, that they really have clinched the division. I know that is a crazy thing to say, with so much of the season yet to play. But it is hard to imagine anyone else seriously contending for the division, with the second place Colts at 2-2 struggling in what still feels like a rebuilding season for them. The Titans and the Jaguars both seem to be experiencing horrendous seasons, with both at 1-4 right now.

The only other undefeated NFL team, also from the South but in the NFC, are the Atlanta Falcons. They, like the Texans, seem to have that division well in hand as well. After only the first four weeks of the season, they held a three game lead over their next closest competitors in the division, as Tampa Bay and Carolina both had 1-3 records, and the Saints were struggling through a surprisingly disappointing season at 0-4. The Saints did manage to win their first game this past weekend against the San Diego Chargers, but it still remains to be seen whether they will recover enough to salvage even respectability this season, let alone contend for playoff positioning. Atlanta, in the meantime, will look to extend their undefeated start this weekend as they host the struggling Oakland Raiders. It may be a good chance to get off to a 6-0 start.

The Patriots had a rough start, dropping two games in a row to the Cardinals and the Ravens, and then falling far behind against the Bills. The unthinkable third loss in a row seemed to be their destiny, but they recovered from being down 21-7 to put on a clinic and pie on the points, eventually burying the Bills in Buffalo, 52-28. New England has looked more consistent since.

Baltimore maintains a good, strong record at 4-1, but they have only won recent games narrowly so far. They will host the Dallas Cowboys this coming weekend.

The San Fransisco 49ers look absolutely dominant at the moment, with back to back blowout wins. the first one was already mentioned, the 34-0 dismantling of the Jets at the Meadowlands, which they followed up by crushing the Bills 45-3 at Candlestick Park. But the NFC West seems surprisingly strong so far, with the 4-1 Cardinals keeping pace (so far) with San Fran, and the Rams managing a mildly surprising 3-2 record. The Seahawks bring up the rear, and even they are at 2-2.

With the Packers and Lions struggling, the Bears and Vikings, surprisingly, have jumped on their opportunities. Both have managed some impressive victories, and they both stand with 4-1 records. The Bears have won a pair of very impressive road victories, convincingly beating Dallas and Jacksonville in the last two weeks.

Here are a couple of links to articles on the latest inductees into the Jets Ring of Honor:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/mark-gastineau-wesley-walker-thrilled-to-join-jets-ring-of-honor-1.4090026

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/wires/10/08/2020.ap.fbn.jets.ring.of.honor.0164/index.html