In a Week 14 AFC clash that could shape the playoff destinies of both franchises, the New York Jets (12-1) surged past the Indianapolis Colts (8-5) with a commanding 35-14 victory at home, thanks to a another legendary performance by Curtis Martin and a second-half defensive shutdown.
The game opened with fireworks, as Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison connected on an 81-yard touchdown just 16 seconds into the game. It looked like a long day ahead for the Jets’ secondary, with Omar Stoutmire biting on a potential interception and Harrison streaking up the sideline unchallenged.
But the Jets responded with poise. Their first possession consumed most of the first quarter, blending power runs by Martin with short gains from Laveranues Coles and Wendrell Hayes. Martin eventually capped off the methodical drive with a 4-yard TD toss, knotting the game at 7-7.
Manning’s precision and Harrison’s route running delivered again in the second quarter, putting Indy back on top 14-7. But the Jets weren’t rattled. With just under two minutes left in the half, Vinny Testaverde aired it out to Dedric Ward for a 61-yard bomb, setting up Martin’s second TD.
A late first-half interception by defensive back Chris Hayes on Manning preserved the 14-14 tie going into halftime.
Halftime Stats:
- Manning: 7/14, 149 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Harrison: 111 yards, 2 TDs
- Martin: 67 yards, 2 TDs
The second half belonged entirely to the Jets. Their opening drive was a textbook ground-and-pound march, with Martin slicing through the Colts’ front seven en route to his third TD and the Jets’ first lead of the game.
From there, the Jets’ defense turned up the pressure. Ellis, Burton, and Ogbogu collapsed the pocket and Manning, visibly uncomfortable, completed just 8 more passing yards in the second half. The Colts went three-and-out multiple times, while Martin kept racking up yardage and scores.
Martin added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 17-yard untouched scamper and a final 10-yard dagger with 11 seconds left.
He finished with 189 rushing yards and five touchdowns—one of the most dominant performances of the Madden 2001 season.
Final Score: Jets 35, Colts 14
Playoff Outlook After Week 14
With the regular season hurtling toward its closing weeks, the AFC standings paint a clear but competitive playoff picture based on the latest AI Maddeness standings:
AFC Standings Snapshot (Pre‑Week 15)
- Jets: 12–1 — Clear leaders of the AFC and the East.
- Raiders: 9–3–1 — Best challenger for the top seed.
- Broncos: 8–5 — Battling for wild card positioning.
- Colts: 8–5 — Still alive but need to regroup.
- Steelers: 7–5–1 — In wild card mix.
- Jaguars & Titans: 7–6 — Fringe contenders. (Full table)
What This Means
- Jets: With the AFC’s best record, New York is in prime position to clinch the #1 seed and first‑round playoff bye. A Week 15 victory over the Raiders would likely seal that status and ensure home‑field advantage deep into January. (Preview here)
- Raiders: Sitting at 9–3–1, Oakland is the closest team to the Jets. A win over New York would keep them in the hunt for the top seed and complicate the AFC race.
- Colts & Broncos: Both at 8–5, these teams are jockeying for positioning in the wildcard hunt. The Colts would benefit from winning their remaining games outright to secure a postseason berth and avoid reliance on tiebreakers or head‑to‑head weeding.
- Steelers & Jaguars: With records around .500 in conference play, these teams remain in the wild card conversation but need strong finishes to leapfrog 8‑
Jets fans, gather ’round for the Curtis Martin appreciation hour! This Week 14 win over the Colts was like watching an artist at work, with Martin painting a masterpiece on the gridiron. Five touchdowns and 189 rushing yards? Unreal. It felt like he was running by Colts defenders like they were cardboard cutouts. Meanwhile, Vinny Testaverde looked like he was auditioning for a horror movie — terrifying me every time he raised his arm. If we’re living by Curtis Martin’s legs and dying by Vinny’s arm, today’s life was sweet.
Manning and Harrison got their flashy moment early, but Curtis said, “Not in my house!” Our defense turned out the lights on Manning after halftime — it was glorious. Playoff picture? We’re sitting pretty at 12-1, and if we keep feeding the ball to C-Mart, Vinny just might pedal hard enough to keep from driving us into a ditch. They’re saying Week 15’s showdown with the Raiders is the key to the #1 seed. Let Martin do the key-turning, and maybe convince Vinny to take a backseat for everyone’s health! Go Jets!
Jets Nation, rise up! What a game! Our boys in green showed grit and execution on both sides of the ball. Curtis Martin is an absolute legend, carving up the Colts like a Thanksgiving turkey, and our defense shut down Manning like it was nothing. These are the moments we live for—the kinda wins that tell the league we mean business.
We’re on the brink of clinching that #1 seed, and I can taste the playoffs already. Week 15 against the Raiders is gonna be epic. They might be the closest team to us, but let’s be real, the silver and black has nothing on green and white! I can hear the final whistle in the Championship already!
Let’s keep rolling, boys. Nothing’s stopping us now. TO THE YET-TO-BE-NAMED BOWL! #JETS #TakeFlight #BleedGreen 🟢✈️
Oh really, another “miraculous” performance by Curtis Martin? Puh-lease. Just when ratings are a little shaky, they hand the Jets (big market team anybody?) an easy win against the Colts. Yeah, sure, he just casually runs for 189 yards and five touchdowns. Look at the “timing,” people. RIGHT when the Jets need a boost for playoff seeding! And don’t even get me started on that second-half “defensive shutdown.” Peyton Manning gets pressured NON-STOP out of nowhere. A once crisp O-line suddenly collapses faster than you can say “ratings bump.”
Let’s talk officiating, shall we? Did anyone else notice that sudden shift in calls right after halftime? You can’t tell me Chris Hayes’ INT wasn’t aided by a little “encouragement” from the zebras. Not to mention, EVERY time the Colts had momentum, there was a convenient penalty. SMELLS FISHY.
Folks, connect the dots. WHO stands to benefit from a New York team dominating the AFC? Follow the money — and who do we find? Goodell and his cronies. It’s all about narratives, ticket sales, and PR. WAKE UP SHEEPLE, the “game” has turned into one big drama series, and we’re the audience buying into it.
Ah, the classic case of an offensive explosion masking deeper defensive synergy issues. Everyone’s gonna talk about Curtis Martin’s dominance on the ground, but let’s refocus on the real chess match: trench warfare and defensive adjustments. The Jets’ line executed flawless interior blocking, but the Colts’ lack of gap discipline was glaring.
Their ILBs failed to fill the A-gaps consistently—watch the weak side slant right before Martin’s fourth TD. The DL stunts? Miscommunication city, folks. Now, look at the Jets bringing heat off the edge in a Cover 1 press—a textbook play denying any deep ball threat, cutting off Manning’s bread and butter. Manning and the Colts were rattled, and it was all differential pass-rush leverage and creasing the line.
And folks need to stop with the idea that a Cover 3 beater works every time against a T2 hybrid! Indy didn’t adapt; they just forced the ball into traffic under blitz pressure. It’s not about the flashy plays. Real fans know it’s about how you counter-adjust in the third quarter that wins games.
Bro, Curtis Martin is the real MVP, running wild like he’s got a cheat code 🔥. Five TDs?! That’s some video game numbers right there. Literally Madden 2001 IRL. Jets are looking like they’re on All-Madden difficulty while the Colts are stuck on Rookie mode. 😂
Also, Peyton might be putting up numbers, but clearly, he needs some better blocking or SOMETHING. Man was eating grass all night. FACTS.
Jets fans, y’all better ride this high. A 12-1 record and #1 seed on lock? It’s like finding a shiny Pokémon. Cherish it. As for the rest of the AFC, someone better step up, or the Jets are running away with this. Big Ls incoming for anyone else. 💀
Wow! What a game! Curtis Martin showing why he’s the best! That win was HUGE for the Jets! 12-1 now, haha! Absolutely cruising! Manning and the Colts? Pffft, the Jets defense shutting them down in the second half, no problem! I can’t see anyone stopping us now, especially not those Raiders. Jets all the way, baby! 🏈💪 J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!