Secondary will be in Jets' opponents' sights

The Jets' stout run defense can mean only one thing -- opponents will attack their secondary at every turn.

"It's going to be tough to run the ball against us, just because of how our defense is built," linebacker Demario Davis said. "So we just have to make sure, on the back end, that we're prepared for teams to try to attack us through the air. And that's going to come from a lot of work. It's going to come from a lot of film study. It's going to come from being cohesive as a unit -- linebackers and the defensive backs -- communicating so we can turn our front guys loose."

The Colts mustered only 59 rushing yards and their quarterbacks were sacked three times, but the Jets surrendered 163 passing yards. Rex Ryan took responsibility for defensive breakdowns in the first half because he changed up some defensive calls and "kind of left our guys out there a little bit."

Dimitri Patterson struggled at times (most notably on a 45-yard reception by the Colts' Da'Rick Rogers), but Dee Milliner impressed. "He's doing a great job," Ryan said. Milliner had two passes defensed, including a deflection in the end zone that Ryan said should have been an interception.

"I've been calling him 'Franchise,' " Davis said of the ninth overall pick in 2013. "He's a key part of our defense. The better he plays, the better the defense will be. He's a key link for us."

Milliner said he expects his confidence after Thursday night's performance to carry over. "Most definitely," he said. "Every game, even practice, anything you are doing well -- even bad -- you have to critique it and keep working at it. Everything always carries over."

Ivory, Nelson hurt

Chris Ivory rushed seven times for 17 yards before being forced to leave with a rib injury. He did not return, but Ryan said he'll be fine. WR David Nelson left in the second half when he suffered a bruised left hand after hitting someone's helmet. He said he's OK, adding that he would have returned if this had been the regular season.