Football

Matt Forte, Josh McCown and Demario Davis lead Jets to divisional win over Bills

By Jason Romano Nov 3, 2017
Glendale, AZ - October 17, 2016 - University of Phoenix Stadium: Matt Forte (22) of the New York Jets during a regular season Monday Night Football game (Photo by Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

The New York Jets were expected to tank this season. Many thought they might be the worst team in the NFL, but that has not been the case in 2017.

On Thursday Night, the Jets dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to beat the red-hot Buffalo Bills 34-21 and obtain a key division win in the surprisingly competitive AFC East.

Their 4-5 record isn’t indicative of how competitive they’ve been. Four of their five losses have been by 9 points or less, including two close losses to last year’s Super Bowl teams, the Patriots and Falcons.

New York hasn’t given up and that’s a testament to their veteran leadership. On Thursday Night, that leadership was on display as quarterback Josh McCown, running back Matt Forte, and linebacker Demario Davis, all played HUGE roles in the victory.

Forte was the offensive leader, having his best game of the season, rushing for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

McCown threw for a touchdown and ran for a touchdown. He completed 14 of 20 passes on an efficient night when the ground game carried Gang Green.

“The defense was lights out,” said McCown. “They set the tone. Everybody was clicking on all sides and playing at a high level. It was a big win.”

Linebacker Demario Davis was flying around on defense, and led a unit that held Buffalo’s ground game to just 63 yard, averaging under 3 yards a carry. Davis finished with 8 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery.

“We all, defensively, had this game marked,” linebacker Demario Davis told the New York Daily News. “It wasn’t that we did anything different. We just needed to respond to the challenge, which we didn’t do the first time.”

Davis, McCown and Forte are all followers of Jesus Christ and have put their faith and trust in Him.

“My heart is to please God,” McCown told The Increase back in 2012. “There’s got to be faith involved.”

Forte talked to Jason Romano on the Sports Spectrum podcast back in July, and said while many know him as a football player, his identity is rooted in who Christ is.

“You can be known as a football player,” Forte said, “but if you identify with just that, it’s not going to last long because you won’t play football forever. You have to find your identity in Christ.”

Davis has been a contributor to The Increase, and has shared about his faith and why Jesus has given him a new heart and a new mind.

“God, you’re the Lord of my life,” said Davis. “I let go and said ‘God, I trust you, I don’t know where you’re going to take me,’ and He’s brought me closer and closer to Him.”

Next up for the Jets is a trip to Tampa to face the Buccaneers on November 12 at 1pm ET.