Week in and week out, you never know what to expect from the New York Jets. One week they look like a serious  playoff caliber team, but then other weeks look like arguably one of the worst teams in the entire NFL.  The roller coaster type season has been a tough one for the fans to handle, since the fans see what the Jets can really look like if they played consistently every week. While the Jets did not play their A game this week, they really did not need to against an Oakland Raiders team that was pretty much outplayed since the opening kickoff.

Last week, the Jets offense once again faltered, and the Jets decided it was time to turn the game over to backup quarterback Matt Simms. Like Smith, Simms had very little success, and the chorus of boos around MetLife Stadium were heard all day long, although many of the boos were for the rookie Smith. This week though, Smith gave the hometown fans something to cheer about. Early in the year, Smith would use his legs to make plays happen for a Jets offense that has struggled. In their recent losses, Smith had gotten away from that tactic. Against the Raiders on Sunday, Smith would once again use his legs to his advantage, and had many big runs on the day. One being a long thirty two yard rush to put the Jets in the redzone, and the other being a QB keeper on the goalline for a Jets touchdown.  Early in the game, Smith threw a bad interception in which a Raiders linebacker read his eyes like a book in route to an interception right along the Raiders sidelines. Smith kept his cool though, and had a very strong game under center.

Sunday marked the return for the Jets number one receiver Jeremy Kerley. Without Kerley, the Jets record has ben 0-4 on the season. Having the third year receiver back was huge for the Jets, and Kerley made his presence known all day long. On one play, Smith lofted the ball into the endzone in route to Kerley, and Jeremy made a tremendous jumping catch right in front of two Raiders defensive backs. Kerley was able to bring the ball down, and secure six points for the Jets. Kerley was also a huge part of the third down passing attack for the Jets, and it is safe to say Smith was happy to have his favorite receiver back.

While the offense had a great day, the defense struggled at times stopping the Raiders offense. The Raiders were down to their fourth string running back in Marcel Reece with the other guys dealing with injuries. The most surpising play had to be when Reece broke free of the line of scrimmage and ran for a 45 + yard touchdown without being touched. The Jets have been excellent in stopping the run all year, so seeing them give up a play like that to a backup running back was a concern. Aside from that play, the run defense played pretty well, and Reece did not do much besides that play.

A guy who had a great game was rookie cornerback Dee Milliner. Milliner has a had a rough first year in the pros, but he had a great game Sunday not allowing a single catch, and having a nice pass deflection in the endzone on a play early in the game. Hopefully for the Jets, this is a sign of things to come for the rookie from Alabama.  Ed Reed also had a nice game for the Jets. Reed was able to secure an interception that set the Jets up in great field position, in which the Jets were able to come away with a field goal.

With the win, the Jets were able to keep their playoff hopes alive. With a win next week against a tough Carolina Panthers team, the playoff talk will continue to increase for the New York Jets.