"You have to ask the offensive line about how they really felt, but I know I got tired of hearing it," the Jets fullback said yesterday.

Much of the discussion leading up to Sunday's game in Tennessee revolved around the Titans' defense, particularly its front four, and how those players likely would have their way with the Jets' offensive line.

Instead, the Jets' offensive line had its way with them. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore and Damien Woody turned in their best game of the season, and the proof was all over the stat sheet.

The Jets outgained the Titans 192-45 in rushing yardage, had nine rushing first downs compared with one for Tennessee and, most impressively, held the ball for 40:30. "We definitely took it as a challenge," Moore said after the game.

Woody said he drew motivation from predictions that the Titans would dominate, but Mangold said that wasn't the case with him.

"I don't think you really get tired of hearing it when you realize that they are a very good front four," Mangold said yesterday during a conference call. "I think if it was unfounded, it could really get kind of annoying, but they were a very good front four and a very big challenge for us. I think our guys came and stepped up and played well."

Mangold said the offensive line's primary motivation came not from what was being said, but because the Titans' defensive line is first-rate.

"As a player in the NFL, you want to go against the best, and we had a great opportunity going against them knowing that they're one of the best front fours in the league right now," Mangold said. "That's a great challenge and it gives you an opportunity to see where you're at."

Where the Jets were Sunday was in Titans' territory almost immediately. For the sixth straight game, the Jets scored on their first possession. They are second in the league in first-quarter points with 78, trailing Atlanta (88).

Brett Favre went 6-for-6 for 72 yards as the Jets marched 76 yards in nine plays on their opening drive, capped by Thomas Jones' 10-yard TD reception. But the Jets effectively mixed the pass with the run all day as Jones rushed for 96 yards and Leon Washington 82, including a 61-yard TD.

As Eric Mangini said: "To be able to run the Football against that group, to be able to hold up against two pass-rushers, one being a larger interior guy [Albert Haynesworth], one being a high-motor edge guy [Kyle Vanden Bosch], and both of them usually being on the same side, that's tough."

Second-year cornerback Darrelle Revis came away impressed, having had plenty of time to observe from the sideline. "The offensive line ... they're opening holes for Thomas Jones and Leon to run; they're giving Brett time to throw," he said.

Revis laughed, reflecting on the time-of-possession disparity. "I think yesterday was the first game I ever played in where I sat for most of the game."

Notes & quotes: Revis went shopping yesterday at the Garden State Plaza. Winning five straight has raised his profile. "I don't get stopped in public that often, but a couple people in the mall just now were coming up to me," he said. "I was kind of surprised because usually people don't just come up out of the blue." ... Richardson took plenty of ribbing about his 14-yard run, by far his longest of the season. He entered the game with one carry. "All the guys on the team keep razzing me, but I'm like, 'You guys don't realize, in 2000, I was a primary ballcarrier,' " he said with a laugh. Said Richardson, who ran for a career-best 697 yards in 2000 with the Chiefs, including a career-high 156 yards against the Broncos: "It's not like it's my first rodeo carrying the Football."

Sunday

Broncos at Jets

4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WEPN (1050); WABC (770); WRCN (103.9)