(My Sportsbook) - "Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in."

There is not much to like, or remember, about Godfather III, but Michael Corleone's signature line in that movie pretty much sums up my feelings towards the New York Jets.

The Jets were left for dead last week with regard to the playoff picture in the AFC after giving a half-hearted effort in a home loss to the Buffalo Bills. But with their season on the line and their backs against the wall, the Jets, as they have done all year under first year head coach Eric Mangini, bounced back on the road and defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 26-13, at the Metrodome.

"I was very proud of the way our team prepared this week," said New York head coach Eric Mangini. "I was proud of the approach they took and the energy level we had going into the game. To come out and have the early strip-sack and get the early touchdown, we really put that adversity behind us and played pretty good football from there on in."

As bad as New York quarterback Chad Pennington was in the loss to Buffalo, he was that good on Sunday against the Vikings. The oft-criticized signal caller completed 29-of-39 passes for a career-high 339 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

"Kudos to our team for really bonding together and coming together this week after a tough loss last week," said Pennington, who had fumbled on the second play from scrimmage. "We put together a winning effort, and that's what it's all about. This game is such a team game and it takes everyone involved. This win started on Wednesday with a really good day of practice, and then we kept practicing better and better throughout the week. The guys were really honed on what we needed to do to get a win."

Now, if the Jets win their final two games, they should get into the playoffs. Of course they could win out and still miss out on the postseason, but a lot of other things would have to happen for that to occur.

New York, which is 5-2 this season on the road, will finish its season with a stop in Miami on Christmas night and a home tilt with the hapless Oakland Raiders on New Year's Eve.

NO COLES IN PRO BOWL?

Laveranues Coles continued to make his case to be on the field in Hawaii on February 10, as he hauled in a career-best 12 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. Nonetheless, Coles was not on the AFC roster when the Pro Bowl teams were announced on Tuesday.

"I thought Laveranues' performance was outstanding, Mangini said of Sunday's game. "It's very typical Laveranues; he comes out and plays incredible. Each week he makes tough catches - that's what you love about the guy."

Coles, who is seven catches away from breaking Al Toon's mark for a single season, is now second in the AFC with 87 catches, and his 1,065 yards are sixth best in the conference.

Another Jet who was snubbed for Pro Bowl honors was rookie center Nick Mangold, who has been absolutely tremendous this season and could realistically get some consideration for AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Mangold, though, suffered a scare on the play that Pennington fumbled, as his leg twisted awkwardly and had to be helped from the field. He was fine and did not miss a play.

Return man Justin Miller was the only Jet to be named to the AFC roster, though more New York players, including perhaps Coles and Mangold, could end up in the game as others around the league drop out due to injury.

NUGENT GETTING HIS KICKS IN

Jets' kicker Mike Nugent has put his early-season struggles behind him. In Sunday's win, Nugent matched a career-best with four field goals, including one from 52 yards out that looked like it could have been good from at least 60.

Nugent, who missed two field goals and an extra point in his team's first game of the year, has now made 13 straight field goals and has connected on 18 of his last 19 attempts. He is also good on 2-of-3 from 50 yards or more this season.

QUICK HITS

-Coles and Jerricho Cotchery (6 catches, 56 yards) combined for 18 receptions for 200 yards versus Minnesota. On the season, they now have 158 catches combined, tied for the highest single-season total for a tandem in Jets history. Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet combined for 158 in 1998

Coles now has 502 career receptions and 320 as a Jet, which is eighth on the team's all-time list.

-Jonathan Vilma was credited with three tackles, giving him 100 on the season. He is the first Jets LB since Kyle Clifton (1984-86) with at least 100 tackles in his first three seasons.

-In four career games in domed stadiums, Pennington is 85-for-115 for 968 yards with 9 TD, 2 INT and a 117.6 passer rating. He also started his 14th game of the season, which is a career-best.

-The Jets have now won three straight road games for the first time since ripping off five in a row away from home to begin the 2001 season.

-Mangini improved to 4-0 against fellow rookie head coaches this season.

UP NEXT

The Jets' push for the postseason continues on Christmas night when they head to South Beach for a crucial AFC East battle with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets hold a 42-38-1 lead in their all-time series with Miami, including a 20-17 home victory when the teams met in Week 6. New York has now won four of the last five in the series, with the Dolphins' only win over that stretch coming at home (24-20) last season. The Jets' most recent win in Miami occurred in 2004.