10/13 — Braylon Edwards couldn’t have done much more to impress Jets Nation in his first action with his new team.  Five days after the Jets acquired Edwards from the Browns, he caught five balls for 64 yards with a TD and he was instrumental in three scores as the visitors dropped a thrilling 31-27 decision in Miami.

“He’s a big-time receiver and that’s one thing we did right last week was make that trade,” said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. “I think he’s going to be a huge factor for us moving forward.”

Edwards’ first catch went for just 3 yards, but the result was six points on the scoreboard. He ran a great route, faking corner Will Allen to the outside before coming back to the back of the middle of the end zone and Mark Sanchez delivered the short strike. The 6’3”, 215-pound Edwards was able to keep both his feet in bounds as the Jets answered the Dolphins’ opening TD.

“I didn’t want to come off during the week as arrogant, but it’s pretty much the same offense that we ran in Cleveland in 2007 and 2008,” Edwards said. “The guys really helped me throughout the week, so it was just a game of refreshing the memory. These guys are great, they've been helping me on the field, in meetings and just reminding me of things: splits, alignments, yards, depth and conversions. Those guys are great, they made it pretty pre-school out there for me today because they know their stuff.”

Sanchez went to Edwards for a 17-yard gain in the second quarter, helping the Jets force the game’s second tie when Jay Feely hit a 40-yard field goal. 

But their most improbable connection would come early in the fourth with the Jets trailing, 17-13. Facing a third-and-21 from the Dolphins’ 35, Sanchez pumped right, came back left and put the ball high where only Edwards could get it. And the big target, who was sometimes knocked for dropping the football in Cleveland, displayed sure hands along the sideline despite being covered by a pair of defensive backs. 

The play was originally called a TD, but then came off the board when it was ruled Edwards’ chin hit the ground before crossing the goal line (despite not being touched). Thomas Jones cashed in from the 1-yard-line after a replay review.

“It was Cover-2. We wanted to run a 9-route, a go route. Usually you won’t take that chance, but hey, it’s a young quarterback and he was feeling froggy,” Edwards said. “He took a chance and I just tried to make him look good. If he’s going to take those chances, I definitely don’t want to make him look bad or anything.”

“He was lights out, just unbelievable,” said Sanchez. “I’ve never seen anybody catch the ball like that.”

With the Jets down, 24-20, later in that wild final stanza, Sanchez threw long again to Edwards. The Jets’ receiver had a step on Allen and the Dolphins corner was flagged for pass interference, resulting in a 49-yard gain and the Jets ball at the Dolphins’ 3. And once again, TJ finished the scoring possession with another short run as the Jets took their final lead at 27-24.

“With more practice and more chemistry, he’s only going to get better,” Sanchez said. “And we’ll work the other guys around with him and get better chemistry as an offense. It will definitely get better each week.”

While Jerricho Cotchery suited up for the Jets, a hamstring injury definitely slowed him down. But Edwards was fantastic and speedster David Clowney, who entered the game with one career reception, grabbed four balls for 72 yards. 

“Obviously, when Jerricho comes back, it's going to be a problem [for opposing defenses]. The player that he is, the skilled seasoned vet he is, it's going to be a lot of fun,” Edwards said. “And you've got other guys that make plays. Clowney went out there and he caught the long ball on a great route, you've got Wallace who's out there making plays, Brad Smith knows the offense. 

“So I think it really can be good. The main thing for us is just come together during the week and seeing what guys like to do, how they like to play and how they like to run routes."