The Jets were in the driver seat the last couple of weeks. It seemed like coming into this season finale vs the Dolphins they would just need to win to get in the playoffs.
Because of two straight losses they now need a lot more then that:
1pm: Jets @ Dolphins- Obviously need the Jets to win or anything else I say means nothing. Go Jets!
1pm: Titans @ Texans(the scariest of the games)- Texans must beat the Titans. If not then the Jets will be eliminated from playoff contention. Go Texans!
If these two things happen then the 4 o'clock games will be that much more dramatic. If the Jets can win and then get a Texans win I think the odds are on our side to make it in the playoffs. Here is why the 4 o'clock can be awesome as a Jets fan if the two 1 o'clock situations work out.
4pm: Chiefs @ Broncos- Kyle Orton who got released by the Broncos has a chance to end their season. Go Chiefs!
4pm: Chargers @ Raiders- Can the Chargers put one more complete game together? Go Chargers!
The good news with these two games is we don't need both to lose. The Jets just need one of these teams to lose to keep the playoff hopes alive. I do think one of them will lose, and if I had to guess which I would say the Broncos.
4pm: Ravens @ Bengals- The Bengals must lose. If they win, the Jets season is over. Go Ravens!
Essentially the Jets need to win but then also root for the Texans, Ravens, and one of Raiders/Broncos. Three of those teams play at 4 which is why if the Jets get by 1pm and are still in contention then as a fan it will be extremely exciting watching 3 different games with playoff hopes on the line.
I am most nervous about the Titans- Texans because the Texans are locked into the number 3 seed. Every other team has something to play for. This is the only game where starters can be taken out at any time. The positive is the Texans have lost 2 in a row and they need to get back to their winning ways. I think Andre Johnson will play quite a bit because him and Yates do need to build chemistry. Foster may not play as much but if he doesn't I trust Ben Tate to be able to carry the load.
Don't forget- we need to beat the Dolphins. A team who has played great football lately with a solid defense. Brian Schottenheimer needs to call a perfect game. I don't see the Jets losing this game though, I think they are too motivated. If they do lose then it proves this year was just a total disaster. A disaster that no one could've expected. But that conversation is for if the Jets do not get themselves in the playoffs on Sunday. A conversation I hope I don't need to end up talking about.
All we as fans can do is pray that everything works out.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
A Giant Loss
How two weeks can change everything:
Going into the Eagles game the Jets were in a situation where they just needed to beat the Eagles or Giants and then beat the Dolphins to make it in the postseason for the third straight year under Rex Ryan. They had so much control they could afford a hiccup vs one of those talented NFC East teams. That hiccup was clearly the Eagles game as sloppy mistakes and just terrible execution led to a blowout.
Then came the game that everyone was watching- Jets vs Giants. Two teams coming off very bad losses and each in desperation mode. The loser would be forced to need other pieces to fall into place going into week 17. This was the classic "who wants it more" type of game.
The Jets defense, I believe wanted it more then anyone on the field. The problem is their offense was flat all game and that stems from a terrible game plan. On their first drive they go down the field with runs and passes to score early. Met Life stadium exploded as the Jets defense added dominant drive performances to back up the Sanchez to Baker touchdown (First of career)
Enter Victor Cruz who on 3rd and 10 from the Giants one yard line caught an 8 yard slant and took it all the way for a touchdown. A 99 yard touchdown was the Giants first of the game but after a Nick Folk missed 44 yard field goal the Giants were winning at half. There only good play of that half was that touchdown and the blame falls on Antonio Cromartie for missing the tackle and allowing Cruz to run an extra 90 yards. This play truly changed everything.
The defense though, stayed strong. They really contained the rushing attack and didn't allow Eli Manning to have a good game. They also caused an interception by David Harris inside the Giants 20 with about 8 minutes left to give the Jets a chance. The defense kept this a game all day but the offense sputtered.
Mark Sanchez threw 59 passes. 59. I repeat 59 passes for a ground and pound team. Shonn Greene on his few carries was running hard and well. The Giants D was giving up 4-5 yards a rush. For some reason, the Jets thought it'd be okay to give that defensive line 59 chances to hit Sanchez. Actually it was 64 chances because they sacked him 5 times.
What killed me the most was they were down 20-14 with 5:30 left and at mid field with the Ball. They came out in shotgun and threw 3 incompletions to give the Giants the ball back. That's when the Giants iced it with a field goal. I was disgusted we did not give it to Greene there. We are 50 yards away with over 5 minutes left- all the time in the world. They decide to let their guard down and come out in shotgun- Greene not even on the field. A runner who has made his short career known for being a December/January running machine. A runner who can break the big one in a big spot as he proved vs the Bengals and Chargers in the playoffs 2 years ago. A runner who I believe would've set us up to go down the field for the game winning touchdown.
I have always backed up Brian Schottenheimer but when you drop back to pass 64 times and ignore a runner who is on a hot streak with the game on the line and plenty of time to be able to run then there is a problem.
In the end, the Giants wanted it more and now they are in a win and in situation at home vs the Cowboys.
The Jets though sure do need a lot of help as you can see in my next post.
If playoff hopes were a person in the emergency room, they would be on life support.
Going into the Eagles game the Jets were in a situation where they just needed to beat the Eagles or Giants and then beat the Dolphins to make it in the postseason for the third straight year under Rex Ryan. They had so much control they could afford a hiccup vs one of those talented NFC East teams. That hiccup was clearly the Eagles game as sloppy mistakes and just terrible execution led to a blowout.
Then came the game that everyone was watching- Jets vs Giants. Two teams coming off very bad losses and each in desperation mode. The loser would be forced to need other pieces to fall into place going into week 17. This was the classic "who wants it more" type of game.
The Jets defense, I believe wanted it more then anyone on the field. The problem is their offense was flat all game and that stems from a terrible game plan. On their first drive they go down the field with runs and passes to score early. Met Life stadium exploded as the Jets defense added dominant drive performances to back up the Sanchez to Baker touchdown (First of career)
Enter Victor Cruz who on 3rd and 10 from the Giants one yard line caught an 8 yard slant and took it all the way for a touchdown. A 99 yard touchdown was the Giants first of the game but after a Nick Folk missed 44 yard field goal the Giants were winning at half. There only good play of that half was that touchdown and the blame falls on Antonio Cromartie for missing the tackle and allowing Cruz to run an extra 90 yards. This play truly changed everything.
The defense though, stayed strong. They really contained the rushing attack and didn't allow Eli Manning to have a good game. They also caused an interception by David Harris inside the Giants 20 with about 8 minutes left to give the Jets a chance. The defense kept this a game all day but the offense sputtered.
Mark Sanchez threw 59 passes. 59. I repeat 59 passes for a ground and pound team. Shonn Greene on his few carries was running hard and well. The Giants D was giving up 4-5 yards a rush. For some reason, the Jets thought it'd be okay to give that defensive line 59 chances to hit Sanchez. Actually it was 64 chances because they sacked him 5 times.
What killed me the most was they were down 20-14 with 5:30 left and at mid field with the Ball. They came out in shotgun and threw 3 incompletions to give the Giants the ball back. That's when the Giants iced it with a field goal. I was disgusted we did not give it to Greene there. We are 50 yards away with over 5 minutes left- all the time in the world. They decide to let their guard down and come out in shotgun- Greene not even on the field. A runner who has made his short career known for being a December/January running machine. A runner who can break the big one in a big spot as he proved vs the Bengals and Chargers in the playoffs 2 years ago. A runner who I believe would've set us up to go down the field for the game winning touchdown.
I have always backed up Brian Schottenheimer but when you drop back to pass 64 times and ignore a runner who is on a hot streak with the game on the line and plenty of time to be able to run then there is a problem.
In the end, the Giants wanted it more and now they are in a win and in situation at home vs the Cowboys.
The Jets though sure do need a lot of help as you can see in my next post.
If playoff hopes were a person in the emergency room, they would be on life support.
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Jets Soar Into Final Playoff Spot As Week 14 Ends
With their most complete game of the season, the New York Jets took another step in their improbable playoff run that everyone had wrote them off for shortly after the Denver fiasco.
With 5 minutes to go in the game, as many other fans did I got up and walked to the indoor club where a group of fans were gathering around the televisions. Fans not worrying about what was happening on the field, but focusing on the TV that aired the endings of both the Texans and Titans games. It was at one point where everyone jumped with joy as T.J Yates delivered the game winning touchdown pass to beat the Bengals. Within a minute after that, we saw the Titans fail to convert on 4th and inches to clinch their loss vs the Saints. This was when we all knew the Jets now had a full game lead over 2 of the 3 other wild card contenders. With the Raiders getting pummeled by Green Bay after that it became official that the Jets were in the 6 seed and now control their own destiny to make the playoffs. If they win their last 3 games, they are in the playoffs- no scoreboard watching needed. A loss though, would mean more suspense, but at this point they can clinch by just worrying about themselves.
A feeling that no one thought Jets fans would have after just 3 weeks ago when Tim Tebow beat us on a 95 yard touchdown drive with under a minute to go.
The Jets for the third year in a row are just simply not going away even when it seems they are just another mediocre team. For the third straight season they are peaking at the right time and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
My thoughts on the game though are simple:
The offense looked awesome- 5 red zone trips and ALL ending in touchdowns.
Shonn Greene went off with over 150 all purpose yards and a touchdown.
Santonio Holmes for the third straight week made a great TD.
The offensive line gave Sanchez lots of time.
Mark Sanchez played an awesome game with 2 rushing touchdowns(one that he sold the play action beautifully) and then added 2 TD passes.
The defense was flat out dominant with 5 sacks, a safety(there 6th in two seasons) and an interception.
That interception though by Jim Leonhard proved costly as I just got word he tore his patella tendon in his right knee. He is out for the season which is a crushing blow to the defense. His leadership and talent will be missed.
Special teams finally didn't turn the ball over.
Credit to Marcus Dixon who once again played a solid all around game on the defensive line showing he is a great talent that is only in his second season.
And oh, at the end of the first half the Chiefs had 4 total yards along with -15 passing yards.
Overall, a fantastic game and a great day that got even better when we all learned the Jets are the 6 seed and control their playoff aspirations with 3 weeks to go.
Why Not Us?
With 5 minutes to go in the game, as many other fans did I got up and walked to the indoor club where a group of fans were gathering around the televisions. Fans not worrying about what was happening on the field, but focusing on the TV that aired the endings of both the Texans and Titans games. It was at one point where everyone jumped with joy as T.J Yates delivered the game winning touchdown pass to beat the Bengals. Within a minute after that, we saw the Titans fail to convert on 4th and inches to clinch their loss vs the Saints. This was when we all knew the Jets now had a full game lead over 2 of the 3 other wild card contenders. With the Raiders getting pummeled by Green Bay after that it became official that the Jets were in the 6 seed and now control their own destiny to make the playoffs. If they win their last 3 games, they are in the playoffs- no scoreboard watching needed. A loss though, would mean more suspense, but at this point they can clinch by just worrying about themselves.
A feeling that no one thought Jets fans would have after just 3 weeks ago when Tim Tebow beat us on a 95 yard touchdown drive with under a minute to go.
The Jets for the third year in a row are just simply not going away even when it seems they are just another mediocre team. For the third straight season they are peaking at the right time and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
My thoughts on the game though are simple:
The offense looked awesome- 5 red zone trips and ALL ending in touchdowns.
Shonn Greene went off with over 150 all purpose yards and a touchdown.
Santonio Holmes for the third straight week made a great TD.
The offensive line gave Sanchez lots of time.
Mark Sanchez played an awesome game with 2 rushing touchdowns(one that he sold the play action beautifully) and then added 2 TD passes.
The defense was flat out dominant with 5 sacks, a safety(there 6th in two seasons) and an interception.
That interception though by Jim Leonhard proved costly as I just got word he tore his patella tendon in his right knee. He is out for the season which is a crushing blow to the defense. His leadership and talent will be missed.
Special teams finally didn't turn the ball over.
Credit to Marcus Dixon who once again played a solid all around game on the defensive line showing he is a great talent that is only in his second season.
And oh, at the end of the first half the Chiefs had 4 total yards along with -15 passing yards.
Overall, a fantastic game and a great day that got even better when we all learned the Jets are the 6 seed and control their playoff aspirations with 3 weeks to go.
Why Not Us?
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