The vertical offense took flight in the Jets' 37-31 win over the Bills. In front of a prime time audience, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for eight 20-plus yard completions and WRs Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker accounted for 227 of Fitz's 374 passing yards.
"Guys were just making plays," Fitzpatrick said. "I think today is a good indication of just giving them a chance of making plays downfield. That goes back to Chan as well — some of the play calls that we put in place and the confidence he had in me going into the game on making some of those throws. It wasn't just one guy. It wasn't just Brandon down the field. Jalin had some, Quincy had a couple and Deck had a couple. They just did a nice job."
While both Decker and Marshall posted 126 and 101 yard games respectively, it was Quincy Enunwa that carried the team through the air in the first half. The Nebraska product is looking to take a big step forward this season and he posted a career-high 92 yards, 90 of which came in the opening 30 minutes. This was the second consecutive game Enunwa recorded a career high as he hauled in a personal best seven receptions last Sunday against Cincinnati.
"Just confidence," Eric Decker said of the biggest different in Enunwa's game this year. "He has the ability and is a physical specimen. The game is slowing down. I think he's understanding coverages more, I think he understands what his role is and why he's doing it. When those things slow down and you have confidence, it's a result of what tonight was. He made some big plays, he got us going in the first half, and that's going to be a huge weapon for us moving forward."
The Jets had a huge scare in the first half as Marshall injured his knee when Bills CB Stephon Gilmore pulled him to the ground by his face mask. But Marshall, who initially thought it was over and that he would be headed back to Florida for some fishing, soon returned to the field and returned punishment to Gilmore after a 21-yard reception.
"I was able to go out there and make a few plays and draw some coverage. the guys played well," Marshall said. "I was just happy I was able to finish with them on the sidelines."
After being limited to five catches, 69 yards and 1 TD against the Bengals, Decker (6-126-1TD) and Marshall (6-101) combined for 12 receptions and accounted for 61% of the Jets' 374 pass yards.
"It was good just getting them back involved in the ball game," Todd Bowles said of his top tandem. "We had two and three touches last week. We had to find ways to get them the ball and the offensive staff did a good job of working these guys in the game plan while still running the football."
