11/03 — It was once said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right."

The Jets played smart football and used a physical defense to beat a Buffalo team that had not lost a home game in the '08 season. They played from the shoulders up and executed a game plan that didn't just frustrate the Buffalo players but also their fans.

The team leader also emerged yesterday: Kris Jenkins. Kris leads by example and when he speaks, everyone listens. Besides owning the middle of the defense, he was all over Trent Edwards all day, hitting him three times (one resulting in a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown by Abram Elam). He also had two sacks and five tackles.

I haven't seen some one dominate the nose tackle position since Joe Klecko did so in the Eighties.

One example of smart football was when Leon Washington, on a third-quarter kickoff by Buffalo, was out of bounds when first touching the ball. The ball is considered out of bounds by rule, spot the ball on the 40-yard line.

Another was when Brett Favre used a quick snap to catch Buffalo with 12 men on the field. When a flag wasn't thrown, Eric Mangini challenged the play and won — 5 free yards and repeat the down.

It was smart football when when Laveranues Coles slid his hand under the ball to keep it from hitting the turf — first down.

It was smart football when the offense controlled the fourth quarter, holding the ball for just over 10 minutes to FINISH the game.

One last thing about smart football. Look at the final numbers by the defense. They held Buffalo to 30 yards rushing, had 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 6 tackles for losses, 1 fumble recovery and 1 defensive score. Not to mention Darrelle Revis was outstanding and is having a Pro Bowl season. It doesn't get any better than that.

After eight games the Jets are tied in the AFC East for first place at 5-3. Don't look back, look forward. The next quarter of football is time for you to build on what you started in Buffalo, not go backward. Take one game at a time starting with the Rams. This is a game you should win.

My MVPs after eight games: Offense — Thomas Jones and Jerricho Cotchery. Defense — Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins. Special Teams — Wallace Wright and Leon Washington.

Remember this: "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." No more excuses.