“We fought and had to scratch to do it, but we got the job done,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith said.

The Jets could’ve put the game out of reach, but the offense mustered little other than Braylon Edwards’ 65-yard touchdown catch. Sanchez, starting after missing a game with a sprained right knee and playing with braces on both knees, was 18 for 32 for 226 yards.

Ryan finished 16 for 34 for 152 yards for the Falcons, still in contention to post back-to-back winning records for the first time in their 44-year history.

New York got on the scoreboard early as James Ihedigbo tipped Michael Koenen’s punt and gave the ball to the Jets at their 35. On the next play, Sanchez reared back and fired a pretty pass that hit Edwards in stride for a 7-3 lead with 2:48 left in the opening quarter.

The Jets had a chance to increase their lead with a 19-yard field goal with 6:40 left in the half, but Clemens mishandled a low snap and Feely never had a chance to kick.

The Jets wasted another scoring opportunity when Feely was wide right on a 38-yard attempt as time expired in the first half.

Matt Bryant was wide left on a 48-yard attempt with 10:10 remaining for Atlanta.

Looking to make it 10-3, Feely’s 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Chauncey Davis with 4:27 left off a high snap.

NOTES: Falcons RB Michael Turner started after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, but Smith said he was hurt again on his first carry. ... Jets RB Thomas Jones, who came in fourth in the NFL in rushing, finished with 52 yards on 19 carries. ... Thomas DeCoud had an interception for the Falcons.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play

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