“It got chippy out there and you had to watch your back a little,” Woody noted. “We said that to each other in the fourth quarter but, really, we had to do that all game.”

The Jets, meanwhile, made a prophet out of Vanden Bosch who told Foxsports.com two weeks ago, “We’re going to lose a game. We're going to lose more than a game. I don’t think anybody here is talking about an undefeated season or expecting to go undefeated. We’re going to lose.”

The loss doesn't mean a lot to the Titans, who are still a virtual lock to win the AFC South (which entered Sunday with a four-game lead against Indy). But if things break the Jets way over the season s final five games and go against Tennessee, New York will have a handy tiebreaker that could lead to home field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

Perhaps more important for New York is the fact that a win on the road against the AFC’s best team keeps them above the wild-card fray. A lot of teams are already jockeying for those two spots — the Colts (7-4), Patriots (7-4) and Ravens (7-4) lead the way, with the Bills (6-5) and Dolphins (6-5) right behind.

Slideshow The '12th' man Check out some wild and crazy NFL fans supporting their teams. NBCSports.com

Actually, an AFC that after the season's first few weeks seemed muddled and hard to watch because of rampant inconsistency from "power" teams is getting fascinating.

Every team's got a story, whether it's the Favre-led Jets trying to step into the void left by the Brady-less Patriots.

The Patriots duct-taped together an offense and are still winning. The nearly-dead Colts are off the mat and in the playoff conversation in what might be Tony Dungy's last year. The retooled Dolphins Wildcatted back from a 1-15 record in 2007. The refurbished Ravens are getting it done with a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach and a pack of old lions on defense. And what of the AFC West where Denver can barely get out of its own way (a beating from the Raiders?!)?

It's apparent the playoff picture won't be clear until the regular season expires.

As for the Jets, this mish-mash of veterans who’ve come together for New York — Favre, Woody, Faneca, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Calvin Pace — keep establishing who they are.

“That’s important,” said Jenkins. “I don’t think we’re looking to establish an identity. We’re human like any team. We had our hands full today but you gotta understand we haven’t played with each other but we played against each other and we know what type of team we got here. We’re excited about that and we’re coming together.”

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets