NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A few thoughts on the New York Jets' 16-11 victory over the Tennessee Titans at LP Field:
What it means: It's good news-bad news, depending on your perspective. The Jets (3-11) snapped a three-game losing streak and gained their first road win, avoiding the worst loss of the Rex Ryan era, but they cost themselves a shot at the No. 1 overall pick -- presumably quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Jets will never admit it, of course, but this was a costly victory for a team that figures to be in the quarterback market. To get Mariota, they'll have to make a blockbuster trade to move up. It was the ultimate paradox, a bad team winning late in the season, dropping in the draft. You can't accuse the Jets of tanking.
History: This was the first time in NFL history that a game ended with a 16-11 score. Figures, right? The Titans, losers of eight straight, nearly pulled off a Music City Miracle, lateraling their way to inside the Jets' 10 as time expired. Dawan Landry prevented what would've been one of the most embarrassing losses in Jets history.
Stock watch: Geno Smith -- UP. He put himself on the spot after his ridiculous "Pro Bowl" quote from last week, but give him credit: Smith (16-for-28, 179 yards) overcame a shaky start, rallying his team to two second-half touchdowns. Make no mistake, this wasn't pretty, but that was to be expected with the No. 25 offense versus the No. 30 defense. Smith threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to John Conner and orchestrated a 76-yard touchdown drive in which he threw a key block on a 37-yard run by Chris Johnson out of the Wildcat. It was an acceptable and gritty performance for Smith, who said he's offended by the Mariota speculation.
The Decker roller coaster: Eric Decker's underwhelming season hit a new low, with a killer third-down drop at the Titans' 30 at the end of the third quarter. The Jets gave him a five-year, $36 million contract to lead their receiving corps, but he has come up small in some clutch situations. Decker appeared to have an 81-yard touchdown reception, but a replay review showed that he stepped out at the 33 -- oh, so typical of the Jets' season. Decker still was productive, though, finishing with seven catches for 100 yards -- his first 100-yard game as a Jet.
Plenty of fight: Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey slugged Smith during a third-quarter replay review, triggering a brawl at midfield. The melee sparked the Jets, who seemed comatose in the first half.
Pound & Grounded: The Jets' running game was inept for most of the game, managing only 114 yards against the league's lowest-ranked rush defense. Johnson wanted to "tear it up" against his former team, but he was swallowed up by the Titans' suddenly inspired defense -- until his late dash. Predictably, the Titans loaded the box to stop the run, daring the Jets to throw -- and they couldn't. Percy Harvin, who played on a tender ankle, had no receptions and was targeted only three times. The Jets' offense was a wreck; it has been all season. Looking at the bright side, the Jets ended an 0-for-8 slump by scoring a touchdown in the red zone. Stop the presses!
Game ball: Landry for saving the victory with his tackle of Delanie Walker at the 9-yard line on the game's final play.
What's ahead: The Jets return to MetLife Stadium to face the New England Patriots (11-3) in their final home game. It could get ugly, as disgruntled fans are planning to protest by waving "Fire Idzik" penalty towels.
