The offense failed repeatedly to move the ball on first down Sunday, putting the Giants into long-yardage situations.

He said much of Sunday's problems stemmed from failures on first down, which created long-yardage situations.

Jim Jeffcoat, 32, a starting defensive end for eight seasons, is a pass rusher in long-yardage situations.

Just as bad for the Jets was that their offense kept getting into long-yardage situations and could not convert.

In a long-yardage situation there's nobody out there but you, and if you make a mistake it's all over for the quarterback.

Fewer holding penalties meant fewer long-yardage situations, making running plays more appealing.

The Vikings can run, so the Giants are likely to use their base defense except in long-yardage situations.

Penalties stuck the Jets with several long-yardage situations.

They like to get you in long-yardage situations.

"If the front four is doing its job, it puts the other team in a long-yardage situation and they have to pass," Fassel said.