The Sports Xchange

INDIANAPOLIS — Turnovers defined the season’s first eight quarters for the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jets forced 10 — five in each game — in victories against the Cleveland Browns and now the Colts. Indianapolis committed eight — three in a loss to the Buffalo Bills and five more Monday night in New York’s 20-7 triumph at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass, and the Jets made life miserable for quarterback Andrew Luck and the Colts.

New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two touchdown passes, including a 15-yarder to wide receiver Brandon Marshall with 6:20 remaining to cap a seven-play, 80-yard drive after the Colts closed within 10-7.

“That was a big drive,” Fitzpatrick said, “We got in the huddle, looked each other in the eye and knew we had to make something happen. Marshall and (wide receiver) Eric Decker made my job easy, and it was fun watching our defense make plays after the pain of going against those guys in training camp.

“We have a long way to go, but this is a good team, and it is a team with good chemistry.”

The Jets (2-0) intercepted Luck three times and recovered one of his fumbles. They also recovered a fumble by running back Frank Gore at the goal line — Revis snatched that one — to deny Indianapolis (0-2) what would have been a third-quarter touchdown.

“They’re flying around, they’re starting to buy into the system,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “We’re not where we want to be. We’re on the way.”

Luck finished 21 of 37 for 250 yards and one touchdown. In two games, Luck has been intercepted five times and lost a fumble.

What we learned about the Jets

1. New York’s defense possesses the potential to be excellent, as it allowed only two touchdowns and 17 total points in the season’s first two games. The Jets are especially good in the secondary, which is no surprise. Cornerback Buster Skrine had a team-leading eight tackles in the 20-7 victory against the Colts, and cornerback Darrelle Revis accounted for three takeaways, an interception of Andrew Luck, a recovery of a Luck fumble and a recovery of a Frank Gore fumble.

2. Geno Smith might have trouble reclaiming the starting quarterback role when he recovers from being sucker-punched by a teammate. Ryan Fitzpatrick again managed the game well, as he did against the Cleveland Browns, and he has completed 63.8 percent of his passes and thrown for four TDs in eight quarters. The Jets are playing well with Fitzpatrick under center.

3. As the schedule moves along, the Jets likely will need more from their running game. Their 27 carries netted only 101 total yards and no touchdowns at Indianapolis, although running back Chris Ivory was efficient with 14 carries for 57 yards, which was enough on this night.

Etc.

–WR Eric Decker had eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, but he left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. His condition will be evaluated Tuesday.

–QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 37 of 58 passes for 423 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions through the first two games of the season. He finished 22-for-34 with two scoring passes and one pick Monday in the win over the Colts.

–WR Brandon Marshall is off to a good start with the Jets. He has 13 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns, one in each game, after recording seven catches for 101 yards Monday.