That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

NEW YORK JETS (8-7) At MIAMI (5-10)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

OPENING LINE—Dolphins by 2

RECORD VS. SPREAD—Miami 9-6; New York 6-9

SERIES RECORD—Jets lead 46-43-1

LAST MEETING—Jets beat Dolphins 24-6, Oct. 17

LAST WEEK—Dolphins lost at Patriots, 27-24; Jets lost at Giants, 29-14

DOLPHINS OFFENSE—OVERALL (19), RUSH (10), PASS (22)

DOLPHINS DEFENSE—OVERALL (16), RUSH (3), PASS (26)

JETS OFFENSE—OVERALL (27), RUSH (22), PASS (21)

JETS DEFENSE—OVERALL (7), RUSH (15), PASS (5)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES—Mark Sanchez 2-3 against Dolphins, but has thrown
seven touchdown passes and one interception in those games. … Jason Taylor,
who plans to retire after season, has 16 1/2 sacks, three interceptions, three
forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered against Jets. He has faced them 25
times. … LaDainian Tomlinson has scored only two of his 145 touchdowns against
Miami. … Victory would allow Jets to finish with winning record for fourth
consecutive season, a franchise record. … Shonn Greene needs 1 yard rushing
for first 1,000-yard season. … Jets have scored TDs on 67 percent of red-zone
chances, best in NFL. … Only five teams have worse record than Dolphins, even
though they’ve outscored opponents 310-296. They’re 0-5 in games decided by
field goal or less. … Dolphins rank second to Green Bay with 38 completions of
25 yards or more. … Reggie Bush’s average of 5.0 yards per rush is highest for
a 1,000-yard runner this year. Bush led NFL with 519 yards rushing in December.
… Dolphins rank third in run defense. They haven’t finished that high since
1979. … Dolphins have allowed 51 sacks, two shy of the 42-year-old franchise
record.

That’s all the news for today.

Jason Taylor is back with teh Miami Dolphins and will face his old team – the New York Jets – tonight. / Lynne Sladky/AP

Written by

DENNIS WASZAK Jr. | Associated Press

More In Sports

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Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Jason Taylor used to despise the New York Jets and their fans. Now he doesn’t want to say goodbye.

The former star pass rusher, released Tuesday after one season with the Jets, told reporters at a golf event Wednesday in South Florida that he wants to play at least one more season — but only for the Jets. Taylor, 36, shared that sentiment in a conversation Tuesday with coach Rex Ryan.

“I want to play in New York, oh, for sure,” Taylor said in an interview aired on 760 ESPN Radio. “I told Rex this yesterday: If I’m going to play, I want to play with the Jets.”

Taylor had one year remaining on his contract, but he was due to make $2.25 million and was cut loose in a move that surprised no one, not even Taylor.

The NFL’s active career sack leader didn’t put up eye-popping numbers last season, producing only five sacks as a pass-rushing specialist. When the season ended with the loss to the Steelers in the AFC championship, Taylor was emotional, sounding as if he had played his last game.

Some in the Jets’ organization suspect he will retire and pursue a career in show business, but Taylor said “he’s looking to play another year or two maybe.”

The chances of returning to the Jets appear slim. They’re trying to get younger in the front seven, targeting defensive end and outside linebacker in the draft. Nevertheless, Taylor is hoping for another shot.

“I had a fantastic time up there,” said Taylor, a longtime nemesis of the Jets during his heyday with the Dolphins. “[It's] a great team, a good, young team with a good, young quarterback continuing to grow up and becoming more and more of a pro quarterback. That’s great to see.

“I had a great time, but came up a little short. It’s not easy to repeat three years in a row in the AFC championship, but if they’ll have me, I’d enjoy doing it again.”

Taylor dismissed any notion of a return to the Dolphins, who made no effort to re-sign him last year when he was a free agent.

“I don’t think there’s a chance in the world that they’re going to call,” he said. “We didn’t communicate very well when I played there. That ship may have sailed, and that’s OK.”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com.

Follow Rich Cimini on Twitter: @RichCimini

That’s all the news for today.

NEW YORK — The New York Jets have placed a first- and third-round tender on cornerback Antonio Cromartie and wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

That means another team would have to give up a first- and third-round pick to sign either free agent — at least under the current collective bargaining agreement. But the players’ situation could change depending on the outcome of the NFL’s labor negotiations.

The Jets also officially announced Tuesday they had released veterans Damien Woody, Kris Jenkins and Jason Taylor and that linebacker David Harris had signed his franchise tender.

The 31-year-old Jenkins, acquired by the Jets in 2008, has missed most of the past two seasons with major knee injuries.

“I had an absolute ball in New York,” Jenkins said in an e-mail to the Associated Press. “I don’t know what the future holds for my career as of yet, but I am in great spirits and still rehabbing to give it one more shot if possible. I just appreciated the opportunity I was given.”

New York tendered wide receiver Brad Smith (second-round level), quarterback Kellen Clemens (third round), safety Eric Smith (third round), cornerback Drew Coleman (sixth round), kicker Nick Folk (sixth round), offensive lineman Rob Turner (right of first refusal) and safety James Ihedigbo (right of first refusal).

That’s all the news for today.

The New York Jets released defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Jason Taylor and tackle Damien Woody two days before the start of the National Football League’s new year, General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said.

Jenkins, 31, has been on injured reserve since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13. He spent three seasons with the Jets.

Taylor, 36, a 14-year veteran who ranks first among active players with 132.5 sacks, appeared in 16 regular season and three postseason games in his only year with the Jets.

Woody, 33, who played three seasons with the Jets, started 13 regular-season games and one playoff game during 2010 before being placed on injured reserve with a damaged Achilles tendon on Jan. 12.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net

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NEW YORK March 1, 2011 (AP)

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Updated Feb 28, 2011 11:43 PM ET

NE W YORK

The New York Jets are parting ways with Vernon Gholston — the disappointing sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft — in an offseason purge that will include the releases of outside linebacker Jason Taylor, right tackle Damien Woody and nose tackle Kris Jenkins, the New York Post reported Monday.

The four moves will save the Jets between $20 million and $24 million on their salary cap, money they will need with receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, special teams ace Brad Smith and cornerback Antonio Cromartie all set to become free agents pending the lockout looming Friday.

One or more of the released players could eventually be signed back, for reduced salaries, although it certainly appears as if 24-year-old Gholston has worn a Jets uniform for the last time.

Taylor, 36, completed his 14th NFL season — his first with the Jets — and likely is headed to retirement.

Woody, 33, started 45 games the past three seasons but injuries to his knee and Achilles late in the year put him on injured reserve. An NFL source said “It’s being discussed” when asked about a possible return for Woody for a lesser contract whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed upon.

If Woody is out of the picture, the Jets might be inclined to see if they can turn the starting right tackle job over to Vladimir Ducasse, last year’s second-round draft pick.

Woody wrote on Twitter: “Just informed about my release. I want to thank the Jets and all the fans out there. It was a great ride!”

Asked if he would consider re-signing with the Jets for less money, Woody wrote, “It could happen.”

Jenkins, 31, was the anchor in the middle of the three-man defensive line but he has encountered severe and repeated injury issues. He missed 25 games the past two seasons with a pair of torn ACLs. He went down in the season-opener this past season.

What are your opinions.

By Joe Caporoso – Contributor

Read More: Damien Woody (OL – NYJ), Kris Jenkins (DT – NYJ), Jason Taylor (LB – NYJ), Vernon Gholston (DE – NYJ), New York Jets

Follow , and Like SB Nation New York on Facebook.

Feb 28, 2011 - The New York Jets have decided to part ways with right tackle Damien Woody,  defensive end Vernon Gholston, outside linebacker Jason Taylor, and nose tackle Kris Jenkins.

Woody was a quality starter for the Jets the past three seasons but suffered both a knee and Achilles injury at the end of last year. Considering his age and salary, it wasn’t a surprise the Jets decided to part ways with him. Veteran Wayne Hunter filled in for Woody at the end of last season and will likely compete with second year lineman Vladimir Ducasse for Woody’s old job.

Jenkins was a dominant player in 2008 but suffered season ending injuries the last two years. There is a chance the Jets could bring him back at a lower cost later in the off-season to see if he can make it back from yet another rehab. Sione Pouha has been very good filling in for Jenkins, although the Jets will likely address defensive line in April’s draft. 

Jason Taylor was okay in his only season wearing Green and White. He finished with 36 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He will likely retire, as the Jets look elsewhere to improve their pass rush.

Vernon Gholston was the number six overall selection in the NFL Draft, yet managed zero sacks in three seasons. He is the ugliest blemish on Mike Tannenbaum’s resume to date. 

What are your opinions.

By Jason Kirk – Associate Editor

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Feb 28, 2011 - OLB Jason Taylor, OT Damien Woody, DE Vernon Gholston, and DT Kris Jenkins will be cut by the New York Jets soon, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. Mehta adds that the team may choose to re-sign any of the four at lower salaries after the move.

They’re all certainly plausible cuts, though it would be a surprise to see four biggish names released all at once. Still, when have Rex Ryan’s Jets been anything but surprising?

Woody and Jenkins have both had injury issues. Woody missed three games last year, while Jenkins has played only seven games in the past two seasons. Taylor, while still reasonably productive, will be 37 years old next year, and Gholston has yet to start more than three games in a season since being drafted No. 6 overall.

For more on the Jets, visit Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York.

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

PITTSBURGH – This was not how the season was supposed to end for the New York Jets.

Not in Rex Ryan’s mind, at least.

But there was the brash coach, red-eyed and disappointed, trying to make sense of a 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game Sunday night.

“We were one game away again,” Ryan said. “It cuts your heart out.”

Especially when you’ve told everyone who’d listen that your team was destined for greatness.

Ryan has led the Jets to consecutive AFC title games in his two seasons as coach, and this made-for-TV journey was marked by a reality-show appearance, controversies, scandals, big talking and some terrific plays.

It ended a win shy of the franchise’s first Super Bowl trip since 1969, and with Ryan firing one final shot at all of his team’s critics. And there are plenty of them.

“Our goal for next year, I’ve got news for you, it won’t change,” Ryan said. “It will never change. We’re going to chase that Super Bowl. We’re going to chase it until we get it. Then, we’ll chase it after that again.

“But that’s it. If you want to criticize us, then go ahead, but you have no right.”

That was the type of fiery talk that was mostly missing in the week leading up to the game. The Jets were uncharacteristically quiet after a loud run through the postseason, and not much changed once the game started.

By the time they made some noise, it was simply too late.

Ryan’s big-mouthed bunch was shut down and shut up in the first half, and the Jets’ defense was dominated by Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall and the Super Bowl-bound Steelers.

“It’s the toughest loss I’ve ever been a part of,” linebacker Jason Taylor said.

New York was silenced until a second-half comeback attempt fell short. And it was because of a stunningly slow start that lacked the intensity of the Jets’ first two playoff victories.

And the reason was inexplicable.

“We just came out flat,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said.

Added defensive end Shaun Ellis: “They came out and out-tempoed us.”

Ryan’s aggressive defense was leaky from the beginning, allowing Pittsburgh gain after big gain as the Steelers jumped out to a 24-0 lead that the Jets couldn’t recover from.

“They made plays when they had to,” Ryan said, “and that’s why they’re moving on.”

That’s not the only reason. New York’s run defense allowed 166 yards rushing, including 121 by Rashard Mendenhall, after giving up only 91 yards a game.

“It came down the most basic lesson in football, man: tackling,” defensive tackle Sione Pouha said.

Added Ryan: “The tackling was not up to our standards to any stretch of the imagination.”

Pittsburgh held the ball for more than 21 minutes, outgained New York 231-50 and outrushed the Jets 135-1 in the opening half. New York’s defense had a solid second half, keeping the Steelers off the scoreboard. But the Jets needed to make one more stand to give themselves a chance at a late comeback.

With the Steelers facing third-and-6 with 2 minutes left, the Jets got pressure on Roethlisberger. But the big quarterback rolled out and got a pass off to Antonio Brown, who went down and grabbed the toss for a first down, allowing the Steelers to run out the clock.

“Ben is Ben,” said Pouha, who smacked into Roethlisberger as he threw. “I was just hoping it would deter the throw, but that’s second nature to him.”

Ryan then slammed down his headset, knowing his team’s season again ended one win short of where he told everyone it would.

“There’s no tomorrow,” Pouha said, almost whispering. “We’re going home.”

That wasn’t in the script.

Ryan said all season he thought his team was going to win the Super Bowl, even boldly scribbling “Soon To Be Champs” on an ESPN bus during training camp. On Friday, he reiterated that he wanted to see green and white confetti fall, wanted the celebratory hats and T-shirts and to raise the trophy as AFC champions.

It wasn’t to be. Again.

“Think about the worst thing that can happen to you,” center Nick Mangold said. “That’s the feeling.”

Ryan called the Jets’ first-round playoff game against Indianapolis “personal” against Peyton Manning, and the defense bottled up the Colts’ Pro Bowl quarterback.

The next week, Ryan said it was between him and the Patriots’ Bill Belichick, declaring he needed to outcoach his counterpart. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie fired things up by calling Tom Brady an expletive, and the trash talk escalated from there.

The Jets backed up all the big talk by stunning the Patriots 28-21. But things took a silent turn last week when Ryan heaped praise on Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, using words such as “respect” and “like,” and his players followed suit.

Turns out, the Jets might have needed to keep that mean streak going.

“I would change the outcome of this game and that’s the only thing I would change,” Ryan said. “We don’t need to apologize to anybody. We’ll be back, you’ll see.”

But how many of the players who walked off the field will be back?

Jason Taylor was teary-eyed after the game, sounding as though the end was near for him. It’s uncertain if LaDainian Tomlinson will be back. And the Jets will have plenty of other decisions to make on players such as Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith and Shaun Ellis.

“This team as you see it tonight will never be together again,” Taylor said. “Whether Jason Taylor’s back or anybody else is back, it will not be the same football team again. It just can’t be. It’s sad in its own right.”

Feel free to leave your comments below.

4:30 p.m., CBS

OPENING LINE – New England by 8½

RECORD VS. SPREAD – New York 10-7; New England 11-5

SERIES RECORD – Tied 51-51-1

LAST MEETING – Patriots beat Jets, 45-3, Dec. 6, 2010

LAST WEEK – Jets beat Colts, 17-16; Patriots bye

JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (4), PASS (22)

JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (3), PASS (6)

PATRIOTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (9), PASS (11)

PATRIOTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (25), RUSH (11), PASS (30)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Fierce rivals split season series with both winning at home, the Jets with 28-14 victory Sept. 19 and the Patriots with 45-3 victory Dec. 6. … Tom Brady is 14-4 against Jets, including 1-0 in playoffs. … Since 2000, Jets’ five wins at Foxborough are most by a Patriots opponent during that span. … Jets will set franchise record for road victories in a season with their eighth if they defeat Patriots. They’re tied with last year’s team, which won seven away from home on way to AFC championship game. … In four postseason games under Rex Ryan, Jets averaging 148.8 yards rushing. Shonn Greene has 374 yards in those games, already ranking third in franchise postseason history in just his second NFL season. … QB Mark Sanchez is 3-1 in postseason with 4 TDs and 3 INTs and 83.2 QB rating. Had solid second half vs. Indianapolis, leading Jets on winning drive with less than minute left by completing all three of his passes for 45 yards. Said his sore right shoulder, which had been bothering him since last month, felt best it has in three or four weeks. … K Nick Folk kicked 32-yard FG to beat Colts as time expired. … RB LaDainian Tomlinson has mostly struggled in playoffs during career, but was outstanding in first postseason game with Jets while rushing for 82 yards and two TDs and catching four passes for 17 yards vs. Colts. … RT Damien Woody was placed on season-ending IR earlier in week after suffering left Achilles’ tendon injury in win over Colts last Saturday. He will be replaced by veteran backup Wayne Hunter. … DE Shaun Ellis will extend his franchise record for most postseason games played, with his 11th today. … CB Darrelle Revis coming off impressive performance vs. Colts in which he held Reggie Wayne to one catch for 1 yard. … LB Jason Taylor is NFL’s active career sacks leader, but has failed to bring down a QB in seven postseason games. … P Steve Weatherford tied NFL record by placing 42 punts inside 20-yard line during regular season. … Patriots in playoffs for 12th time in Robert Kraft’s 17 seasons as owner. … They led NFL in scoring with 32.4 points per game and tied own NFL record by scoring at least 30 points in eight consecutive games, capped by 38-7 win over Miami in finale. … Brady won NFL-record 28 straight starts at home during regular season but lost last playoff game there, 33-14 in first round last season. Brady threw three interceptions in that game against Ravens but this season he threw just four interceptions and 36 touchdown passes. … Danny Woodhead, cut by Jets after first game, rushed for 547 yards and five TDs and caught 34 passes with 1 TD for Patriots. … With 86 catches, Wes Welker has 432 the past four seasons, most in NFL. … Patriots rookie CB Devin McCourty, first-round pick from Rutgers, tied for second in NFL with 7 INTs. … K Shayne Graham has made all 12 of his FG attempts in eight games since taking over when Stephen Gostkowski went on injured reserve with a thigh injury. … Patriots are 11-2 in home playoff games. Loss to Ravens broke 11-game winning streak in Foxborough. … Patriots committed 10 turnovers, fewest in the NFL since it went to 16-game schedule in 1978.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

NEW YORK JETS (11-5) At INDIANAPOLIS (10-6)

Saturday, 8 p.m., NBC

OPENING LINE – Indianapolis by 3

RECORD VS. SPREAD – NY Jets 9-7; Indianapolis 8-7-1

SERIES RECORD – Colts lead 41-28

LAST MEETING – Colts beat Jets 30-17, Jan. 24, 2010

LAST WEEK – Jets beat Bills 38-7, Colts beat Titans 23-20

JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (4), PASS (22)

JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (3), PASS (6)

COLTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (29), PASS (1)

COLTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (20), RUSH (25), PASS (13)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Teams meeting for third time since Dec. 2009. … Jets made playoffs despite losing three of last five. … New York was 6-2 in road games this season. … Jets have beaten Indy in two of three postseason matchups, including 16-7 win in 1969 Super Bowl. Jets lost to Colts 30-17 in last season’s AFC title game. … DE Shaun Ellis will break club record for most postseason games played. He’s tied with James Dearth (nine). … Coach Rex Ryan is 1-5 against Peyton Manning as Jets coach and Ravens defensive coordinator. … QB Mark Sanchez completed 41 of 68 for 539 yards with four TDs and two interceptions in playoffs last year. … Jets defense has allowed only one 100-yard runner this season (Bears’ Matt Forte, 113 yards on Dec. 26). … Three of top five active players in sacks will be on field – Jets’ Jason Taylor (131 1/2) and Trevor Pryce (91) and Colts’ Dwight Freeney (94). … New York punter Steve Weatherford played prep ball in Terre Haute, Ind., former home of Colts’ training camp. … Indy making record-tying ninth straight playoff appearance. … Colts have won four straight and three of last four in Jets series. … Manning is 8-5 all-time vs. Jets with 16 TDs and 13 INTs and is 6-3 all-time in home playoff games. … Manning needs 26 completions to pass Joe Montana (460) for second all-time in postseason and two TD passes to crack top five. . … Reggie Wayne (82 receptions) needs six catches to move into second in playoff history, passing Michael Irvin (87) and Andre Reed (85). Wayne also needs 41 yards receiving to pass Fred Biletnikoff (1,167) for fifth all-time. … Wayne (nine) needs two TD receptions to move into third all-time, behind Jerry Rice (22) and John Stallworth (12). … Colts were No. 1 in red zone TD efficiency, scoring 38 TDs in 56 chances (67.9 percent). … Indy also led NFL in third-down conversions in red zone, 56.3 percent, and in points scored in final two minutes of half, with 95. … Colts defense has held last four opponents to average of 79.8 y ards per game rushing, while Colts offense has three straight 100-yard rushing games. … K Adam Vinatieri is 35 of 38 on field goals vs. Jets in career.

There is the quick update of the day.

NEW YORK JETS (10-4) At CHICAGO (10-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

OPENING LINE – Chicago by 1 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD – New York 8-6-0; Chicago 7-6-1

SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 6-3

LAST MEETING – Bears beat Jets 10-0, Nov. 19, 2006

LAST WEEK – Jets beat Pittsburgh 22-17; Bears beat Vikings 40-14

JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (6), PASS (20)

JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (4), PASS (9)

BEARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (25), PASS (26)

BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (3), PASS (14)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Jets would clinch second straight playoff spot with win or tie, loss or tie by Jacksonville, or loss or tie by Indianapolis. … Win would be 11th for Jets and mark fourth time they’ve finished with more than 10. … Brad Smith returned opening kickoff 97 yards for TD and cornerback Marquice Cole broke up game’s final play in end zone last week. Steelers were without S Troy Polamalu (Achilles’ tendon). … QB Mark Sanchez expects to be ready after playing most of last week’s game with sore right shoulder. He has thrown for 3,022 yards with 16 TDs and 12 interceptions. … LaDainian Tomlinson has 886 yards rushing and Shonn Greene has 696. … With 131 1/2 sacks, Jason Taylor needs one to move into tie for eighth on NFL’s all-time list with Lawrence Taylor and Leslie O’Neal. … Bears clinched third NFC North title in six years last week. Currently No. 2 seed in the conference, Bears can finish no lower than third seed and will host at least one playoff game. … Chicago would earn first-round bye with win over Jets coupled with Philadelphia loss and Giants loss or tie. … Bears in playoffs for first time since 2006 team made Super Bowl. … Offense has 211 rushing attempts and 204 pass plays (attempts plus sacks) in last seven games after relying heavily on pass in early going. … Bears third in NFL with 31 takeaways after forcing season-high five (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) last week. … Bears have 21 sacks over last seven weeks, most in NFL during that span. … Jay Cutler is 227 of 368, giving him highest single-season completion percentage (61.7) in franchise history. Cutler has 47 TD passes as a Bear and is eighth on their all-time list, one behind George Blanda and three shy of Jim Harbaugh. … With 865 yards rushing, Matt Forte is closing in on his second 1,000-yard season. … Devin Hester set NFL record with 14th career kick return for TD last week when he ran a punt back 64 yards, surpassing Brian Mitchell. It was his 10th punt return for a TD, tying hi m with Eric Metcalf for league record.

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NEW YORK JETS (10-4) At CHICAGO (10-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

OPENING LINE – Chicago by 1 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD – New York 8-6-0; Chicago 7-6-1

SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 6-3

LAST MEETING – Bears beat Jets 10-0, Nov. 19, 2006

LAST WEEK – Jets beat Pittsburgh 22-17; Bears beat Vikings 40-14

JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (6), PASS (20)

JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (4), PASS (9)

BEARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (25), PASS (26)

BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (3), PASS (14)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Jets would clinch second straight playoff spot with win or tie, loss or tie by Jacksonville, or loss or tie by Indianapolis. … Win would be 11th for Jets and mark fourth time they’ve finished with more than 10. … Brad Smith returned opening kickoff 97 yards for TD and cornerback Marquice Cole broke up game’s final play in end zone last week. Steelers were without S Troy Polamalu (Achilles’ tendon). … QB Mark Sanchez expects to be ready after playing most of last week’s game with sore right shoulder. He has thrown for 3,022 yards with 16 TDs and 12 interceptions. … LaDainian Tomlinson has 886 yards rushing and Shonn Greene has 696. … With 131 1/2 sacks, Jason Taylor needs one to move into tie for eighth on NFL’s all-time list with Lawrence Taylor and Leslie O’Neal. … Bears clinched third NFC North title in six years last week. Currently No. 2 seed in the conference, Bears can finish no lower than third seed and will host at least one playoff game. … Chicago would earn first-round bye with win over Jets coupled with Philadelphia loss and Giants loss or tie. … Bears in playoffs for first time since 2006 team made Super Bowl. … Offense has 211 rushing attempts and 204 pass plays (attempts plus sacks) in last seven games after relying heavily on pass in early going. … Bears third in NFL with 31 takeaways after forcing season-high five (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) last week. … Bears have 21 sacks over last seven weeks, most in NFL during that span. … Jay Cutler is 227 of 368, giving him highest single-season completion percentage (61.7) in franchise history. Cutler has 47 TD passes as a Bear and is eighth on their all-time list, one behind George Blanda and three shy of Jim Harbaugh. … With 865 yards rushing, Matt Forte is closing in on his second 1,000-yard season. … Devin Hester set NFL record with 14th career kick return for TD last week when he ran a punt back 64 yards, surpassing Brian Mitchell. It was his 10th punt return for a TD, tying hi m with Eric Metcalf for league record.

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.