NFL: Jets defense shines in 26-3 rout of Bucs
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. � Thomas Jones rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, Jay Feely kicked four field goals, and the NFL�s second-ranked defense intercepted rookie Josh Freeman three times while holding the sputtering Buccaneers to 135 yards in a 26-3 victory Sunday.
Filling in for injured rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, Clemens completed 12 of 23 passes for just 111 yards. Receiver Brad Smith had the Jets� longest completion of the day � 27 yards � when he threw to Eric Smith on a fake punt play.
The Jets (7-6) climbed over .500 for the first time since beating Oakland to improve to 4-3 on Oct. 25. The Bucs (1-12) lost for the third straight week to a backup quarterback, with Freeman continuing to experience the growing pains of a young passer.