Jets win ugly, stay in thick of AFC playoff hunt

The Jets did what they have done for most of the year, started out slowly. They’re learning how to win close games, a necessary trait in December and January. “We’re developing a strength… a confidence”.

Moore led the Cowboys to 13 points, but his third interception of the night sealed the Jets’ victory.

“When we had to have it at the end there, I thought our guys stepped up and made some great plays”, Fitzpatrick said. “That usually happens during the game anyway”.

Now, at 9-5 the Jets have the New England Patriots on tap as Fitzpatrick continues his march towards what wold be his first ever playoff appearance. After appearing headed to a disappointing defeat in Big D, NY had a solid finish and its first four-game winning streak since 2011.

I mean it’s good to string some games together, whether playoffs or not. “They’re playing to win the game and they’re executing”. “We just had to settle down, get our poise about us”. “We grew as a team”.

“We have to clean up a lot of things before we get to them”, Bowles said.

(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth). Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Romo, left, and New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) greet each other after their NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. But, they had to get the job done against the Cowboys to keep the pace.

Fitzpatrick was inconsistent for much of three quarters, and it didn’t help that both Decker and Marshall left briefly with injuries.

A swarming Cowboys defense dominated the Jets on the ground, holding Chris Ivory to just 37 yards on 13 carries, and had Fitzpatrick on the run all night long.

Jets kicker Randy Bullock atoned for a missed extra point and field goal by nailing a 40-yarder with 36 seconds remaining for the win.

After throwing an interception and taking an terrible 19-yard sack, the Cowboys benched Cassel in place of Moore. Bowles’ strategy worked to perfection, but it’s still unusual for a coach to leave a game with three unused timeouts.

The first play after a near-fumble by Fitzpatrick on a sneak for a first down was held up on review, Thompkins got behind rookie cornerback Byron Jones along the sideline before stepping out of bounds at the Dallas 26. “It was the kind of game we were losing in the first half of the year or the middle of the season that we’re starting to win now, so I’m happy about that”.

DONE IN DALLAS: The last chance for the Cowboys ended on Moore’s third interception when his desperation heave for Dez Bryant went over the outstretched arm of the All-Pro receiver and was caught by Marcus Williams.

But he came back to direct a 70-yard drive which led to Eric Decker catching a scoring pass which set a franchise record with Brandon Marshall with 21 combined receiving touchdowns this season. But everything turned around for him and NY in the final 15 minutes, when Fitzpatrick was 10 of 10 for 132 yards and the TD.

The Jets’ fourth straight win saw them improve to 9-5. “This is a winning football team”.

It was last night’s win against Dallas, owners of the NFL’s fourth-ranked pass defense, allowing just 221 yards per game through the air that may have been his most impressive.