EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few thoughts on the New York Jets' 20-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium:
What it means: The Jets (2-8) avoided the indignity of becoming the first team in franchise history to lose nine straight in a season. They won for the first time since opening day. Nobody wants to be associated with that kind of futility, so there's that. In the big picture, though, the surprising victory doesn't change the complexion of a lost season. It's temporary relief for a coaching staff and front office under fire. For the embattled Rex Ryan, it will be a great line for his résumé. He showed his X's-and-O's acumen, making the red-hot Ben Roethlisberger look like ... well, Geno Smith.
Stock watch: The Jets' defense -- UP. This figured to be one of the biggest mismatches of the year, the Jets' lousy pass defense (a league-high 24 touchdown passes) vs. Roethlisberger, who threw six touchdown passes in each of his previous two games. So what happened? The Jets, with no-name cornerbacks Phillip Adams and Marcus Williams, made two interceptions -- both by Jaiquawn Jarrett, only their second and third picks of the season -- and kept Roethlisberger out of the end zone for 58-plus minutes. They kept Big Ben off-balance with different looks, decent pressure and shockingly good coverage on Antonio Brown (eight catches for 74 yards). Where has this been all season? After only three takeaways in the first nine games, a historically inept pace, the Jets erupted for four.
Slick Vick: Michael Vick played solid, turnover-free football for the second straight week, affirming what was apparent last week: Ryan waited too long to bench Geno Smith. Ryan should've made the change after the loss in San Diego that dropped the Jets to 1-4. Back then, there was still time to save the season. Now it's just window dressing. Vick set the tone with an early 67-yard touchdown strike to T.J. Graham, the team's first completion of 50-plus yards in the air since a Mark Sanchez pass to Braylon Edwards in 2010. After that, Vick (10-for-18, 132, two touchdowns) just managed the game, helping his own cause with 39 yards in scrambles. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass the 6,000-yard mark for rushing.
No. 1 pick is benched: Rookie Calvin Pryor, whose performance had been shrinking in recent weeks, was replaced by Jarrett in the starting lineup. Some people will try to spin this as another attack on GM John Idzik and his drafting record -- and it's a fair point -- but you know what? Pryor deserved to be benched. Simply put, he hasn't produced. You have to hand it to Ryan for making the move, especially because Jarrett delivered a big game. Ryan's job is to win the game; he can't be concerned about his boss' draft scorecard.
Game ball: Jarrett played the game of his life -- his first two NFL interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery. He had no interceptions in the first 38 games. Talk about an unlikely hero.
What's ahead: Just the Jets' luck; they finally get some positive momentum, and now it's the bye week. Instead of giving the players a six-day break, as he usually does, Ryan is planning a four-day respite with two practices.
