Sheldon Richardson's rookie celebration was a little premature (GIF)

The Jets defense played pretty good against the Bills Sunday but one long run on the first quarter’s final play did deflate the Jets’ stats, and will probably result in rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson hearing about it from the veteran players this week about playing until the whistle blows.

Outside linebacker Calvin Pace appeared to have Bills running back Fred Jackson stopped behind the line, but Pace didn’t wrap up Jackson. As far as Richardson knew,  Pace had made the tackle, so Richardson started celebrating. Jackson ran away, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie had to chase him down to save a touchdown.

The run, on a third-and-1 play, moved the Bills to the Jets’ 21-yard line. Luckily for the rookie, the Jets held the Bills for a total of two yards on their next three plays, and Buffalo settled for a field goal that cut the Jets’ lead to 7-3 with 13:45 left in the second quarter.

Richardson took responsibility for his mistake afterward.

Jets linebacker clarifies remark on injured Reggie Bush

A day after New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace's remarks made it sound like his team had put out a bounty on Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush, Pace claimed his comments were taken out of context and misunderstood.

Bush injured his left knee right before halftime and didn't take the field for the rest of the game.  After the Jets emotional 23-20 overtime victory over the Dolphins, Pace was asked about Bush's injury and said, "I guess he was doing his thing for a quarter or two.  We had to put him on out.  I didn't see him again."

On Monday, Pace threw out the notion that the comment was referring to a New Orleans Saints-like "bounty" arrangement.

"I wasn't trying to say it as if we were trying to hurt him," Pace said.  "I'm sad to see him get hurt.  We aren't running any kind of bounty system or anything like that.  Actually, just looking at the play, somebody just kind of fell on his knee.  It wasn't anything malicious ... I guess I need to say things in a different manner.  I'll do a better job of it next time."

Pace sounded like he was trying to say that Gang Green's defense had to keep hitting Bush to wear him down.  Bush gained 61 yards on 10 carries before he got hurt running out the clock before the half.

An MRI showed that Bush knee suffered no structural damage but his return to the field is unclear.  He could suit up this Sunday against Arizona if his the swelling goes down.

Calvin Pace on Reggie Bush: 'We had to put him on out'

Following the New York Jets dramatic 23-20 overtime victory over the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Jets' linebacker Calvin Pace had this to say about Reggie Bush after the running back injured his knee right before the second half: "I guess he was doing his thing for a quarter or two.  We had to put him on out.  We didn't see him again."

On Monday, Pace's quote now asks the question of whether the Jets sought to injure the Dolphins' rusher — especially after Rex Ryan joked that the Jets might have to "put some hot sauce" on Bush, in the days leading up to the Week 3 Game.

"Obviously, we have to do a great job of getting a lot of guys to him and getting him on the ground," Ryan joked last Wednesday.  "Put some hot sauce on him, if you will."

The implication of Pace's quote, some may feel, is that the Jets defense intentionally sought to injure Bush.

Bush suffered the left knee injury trying to run out the clock before the half.  He did come out of the locker room in full uniform, ready to play in the third quarter.  He had already gained 61 yards on 10 carries but did not take the field in the second half.

The Dolphins running back was coming off a 172-yard performance in Week 2 but did not handle the ball in the second half or overtime.

Replays of the play that knocked Bush out of the game didn't reveal any cheap shots or illegal plays by the Jets.  He could play again by Sunday against Arizona, according to ESPN, and the injury is not considered season-ending.

Still, in Roger Goodell's NFL, players have to watch what they say.

Jets Using Bloodied Photo Of Eli Manning As Playbook Cover

Eli Manning is the new cover boy of the New York Jets defensive playbook for this week's crucial game against the New York Giants. The photograph of Manning being sacked by the Jets— right before blood started dripping from a three-inch gash in his forehead— is being used to motivate the Jets defense by putting a subtle bull's-eye on the opposing quarterback's head.

The playbooks were handed out to members of the Jets defense on Tuesday by defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, according to the New York Daily News, and some may think the ploy is just a little short of putting an actual bounty on Manning.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan might slightly remember that his dad Buddy was accused by the Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson in 1989 of putting a $500 bounty on QB Troy Aikman and a $200 bounty on kicker Luis Zendejas before a Thanksgiving Day game.

Manning, who is having the best season of his eight-year career, probably remembers very well the August 2010 preseason-game against the Jets when the gruesome photo was shot.

On a busted play, the Giants signal-caller was cut on his forehead by Jets defensive back Jim Leonhard's face mask after getting crushed by Jets outside-linebacker Calvin Pace from behind which forced Manning's helmet to come flying off.

As Manning kneeled on the ground with blood gushing down his face, Giants fans couldn't help but recall the image of former-Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle in the same bloodied position from an iconic b&w photo.

Manning would not return to that preseason game after doctors used 12 stitches to close up the nasty wound.

Pace was the first player to get the new playbook and said he remembers the hit on Manning.

"It was cool to see it again," he said.

Pace also knows Manning is a much different and better player now.

"You have to make him uncomfortable.  It's like his brother Peyton, man," said Pace.  "If you let him sit back there clean, he's the greatest ever, but if you get your hands in his face, I think it puts a little bit more challenge on him."

The Jets may be using red blood before this game between Big Blue and Gang Green to intimidate and motivate,  but Manning is a lot better quarterback now than he was back when he was knocked out of that game.

The photo of a dazed and bloodied Manning might be a motivational tool for the Jets, but the Giants, themselves, could use it as a reason to go after the Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.

An eye for an eye.