For Jets, situation is not always what it seems

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The simple answer to the Jets being shut out Sunday is for the offense to get back to basics. Run more. Make things simple.

But it isn't that simple, really, even though the numbers - the Jets have the third-best yards-per-game rushing total in the league, and the Lions, Sunday's opponent, are ranked 27th against the run - say that should be the Jets' plan.

The Lions have an attacking defensive line that likes to get into the backfield to disrupt plays and sack the quarterback, another sign that the Jets would do well to run the ball and keep the Lions' front on its heels. But again, it's not that simple.

"Everybody plays us different because we run the ball so well," said LaDainian Tomlinson, who had a season-low 54 yards against the Packers. "They may come out and play us like Denver did. They were basically in a goal-line defense all game and they dared us to throw it. So I don't really take what I see on film [that seriously]."

As for Sunday's shutout, the Jets' 40-29 pass/run split is not a winning formula for many teams, least of all the Jets and their "ground-and-pound" mentality. But offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer disagreed with the prevailing notion that the Jets need to run the ball more to get on the scoreboard.

"I don't think so," Schottenheimer said. "You look at how we moved the ball in the game, (a) big pass to Jerricho [Cotchery], big pass to Santonio [Holmes]. [The Packers] did a good job on the running game."

And the Lions, Schottenheimer said, certainly will stack the box to stop the run, but that hasn't always worked out for Detroit.

"You're not going to have to find the safety because he'll be in the box," Schottenheimer said. "The way they play and the way they get upfield, there are seams that are created. They're an interesting group because I think they're giving up 6.1 yards a carry on first down, but they're also sixth in the league in causing tackles for loss, so there are good plays and bad plays."

The Jets have had plenty of ups and downs on offense the last two games, beginning in Denver. Mark Sanchez has struggled the past two games and he had lots of company Sunday, with numerous drops by receivers and some missed blocks.

"For us, it's about, 'What's the issue?' We have a veteran offense, so we don't need to change things," tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson said. "The problem has been a lot of self-inflicted wounds. It's going to be important on Sunday for us to do what we do, run or pass, and realize we have to stay away from the mistakes."

There's also the theory that with so many weapons, Schottenheimer and Sanchez have too many people to keep happy. Again, it's not that simple.

"I feel no pressure, nor does Mark, I believe, to get Braylon [Edwards] 15 balls a game," Schottenheimer said. "We want to win, and if it's going to take 35 carries by Shonn Greene or 50 carries as an offense or 50 passes by Mark, if that's what it's going to take to win, that's what we want to do. It's a luxury that most teams don't have."