Jets Will Keep Ryan at Quarterback, but Patriots Pick Eason Over Grogan

Quarterback Pat Ryan, who last Sunday guided the New York Jets to a 35-15 wild-card playoff victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, will start again Saturday in the AFC semifinals against the Browns at Cleveland.

Ryan, starting ahead of Ken O’Brien, completed 16 of 23 passes for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns to help the Jets end the five-game losing streak that had caused O’Brien to be benched.

Jet Coach Joe Walton said he chose Ryan because of his performance Sunday.

“I think we got a little bit of a rhythm going and I think we’ll stay with it,” he said. “Kenny naturally wants to play, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Said O’Brien: “I thought Pat would play. As long as we’re winning, that’s the main thing. I think when you’re hot, you’re hot and you might as well stay with what you’re doing well.”

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots took a different approach.

Despite backup quarterback Steve Grogan’s strong performance against the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season final, Tony Eason will lead the Patriots against the Denver Broncos Sunday.

New England Coach Raymond Berry said Eason’s injured shoulder was at 100% for the Patriots’ practice sessions Monday and Tuesday. Eason had stretched a nerve in his right shoulder during the second quarter of the Miami game.

“He’s fine. Fastball, curveball, changeup. It was all there,” Berry said.

Grogan led New England to a come-from-behind 34-27 victory over Miami Dec. 22 that clinched the AFC East title for the Patriots.