Reed Signs with the Jets, Colts Rally to Defeat the Titans

It’s been a busy week for veteran safety Ed Reed. He was let go by the Houston Texans (2-7) on Tuesday and landed on his feet by Thursday with the New York Jets (5-4). He has also been reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, now the Jets head coach.

Ed Reed

Reed has agreed to contract terms and hit the practice field with his new team on Thursday. Whether he plays on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (3-7) remains to be seen (it’s likely) but fortunately for him, he does know Ryan’s defense from their Baltimore Ravens (4-5) days.

Next week, Reed will play his former team when the Jets will play Baltimore. He should be up to speed for that matchup.

But for now, the big question remains on whether the 35-year-old Reed still has that much to contribute and can help the Jets make a playoff push. He didn’t do much with the Texans in eight games and there are concerns if he’s fully healed from his offseason hip surgery. He had neither an interception nor a pass defended while with the Texans and eventually he lost his starting spot.

In last Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals (5-4), Reed only participated in 12 snaps. ProFootballFocus.com has him ranked at No. 73 out of 85 safeties for this season’s play.

According to ESPN, Reed’s role with the Jets hasn’t been clearly defined past getting him on the field come Sunday. He will be reunited with his former Ravens teammate, safety Dewan Landry.

The Jets will hope Reed is the former high caliber player he was with the Ravens for 11 seasons. His stat line reads 61 interceptions for 1,541 return yards (an NFL record) with seven touchdowns. He has been a five-time All-Pro (last one in 2010) and in 2004, he was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

This week the Jets will play at Buffalo for their second time this season, now with playoff ambitions as they have a one-game lead for the wild-card’s second spot. In their September 22 meeting, the Jets won 27-20. Rookie quarterback Geno Smith had a good day, with a season-high 331 passing yards and three total touchdowns.

The Jets have won their last seven of eight games against the Bills but Sunday’s game, it’s too early to tell as Vegas has the game at even with a 41 o/u.

Colts Rally to Defeat Titans, 30-27

After finding themselves in a 14-0 deficit after the first quarter, the Indianapolis Colts (7-3) rallied on Thursday night and defeated division rival, the Tennessee Titans (4-6), 30-27.

Unfortunately for the Colts, getting in a hole is nothing new for them this season as they’ve been behind in six games this season after the first quarter and in their last three games, have been outscored by their opponents 35-0.

Fortunately they’ve won two of these three games.

Andrew Luck

For Thursday’s matchup, it was an all-team effort by the Colts as they adapt to the absence of wide receiver Reggie Wayne in their offense. Running back Donald Brown had 14 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Coby Fleener had eight catches (a career high) for 107 yards and quarterback Andrew Luck went 23 for 36 and 232 yards passing while rushing 31 yards on nine carries with one touchdown.

Oh yeah, veteran kicker Adam Vinateri also added nine points from three successful field goal kicks.

Luck said of the game via the Associated Press, “At the end of the day, winning is what matters. We were fortunate in this game to survive our mistakes and have a chance to win. … But we know that’s got to be fixed.”

With the win, the Colts have a comfortable three-game lead over the Titans for the AFC South race. But do they have enough to win it all in February? They sit at 18/1 to win the 2014 Super Bowl.