NFL

Backups lead Jets to win in RB Martin's absence

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Curtis Martin walked through the Jets' training room before their game in a black sweat suit, his pads and uniform stored for the season.

But even without their star running back, the Jets snapped a seven-game losing streak behind John Abraham and third-stringers Brooks Bollinger and Cedric Houston.

Still, nothing looked quite right.

It was New York's first game since 1998 without Martin, who tried to play through immense pain in his right knee for 10 weeks.

Now his season is over, along with his streak of 119 straight regular-season starts and his quest to become the first player to start a career with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons.

"This is new for me, I'm like a fish out of water," Martin said. "But at the same time, I realize there's no way I can be out there. ... I haven't been able to perform like Curtis Martin should perform."

Martin watched Houston run for 74 yards on 28 carries and a 2-yard score. Bollinger set a team record for yards rushing by a quarterback with 56 and was 14-of-26 for 119 yards.

Abraham had two sacks that caused fumbles, leading a defense that forced four turnovers and sacked Marques Tuiasosopo six times.

NOTABLE: Richard Todd owned the Jets mark for rushing yards by a quarterback in a game with 53 against New Orleans on Dec. 14, 1980.

[Last modified December 12, 2005, 01:10:15]