The heart attack Jets were at it again this past Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. It was the Jets vs. their old coach, Eric Mangini. It was a homecoming for Braylon Edwards. It was Rex Ryan vs. brother Rob Ryan. It was a bunch of Ex Jets vs. their old teammates. It was all against the team that made the dumb trade for us to draft Mark Sanchez.
I’m definitely going have heart failure watching these Jets as nothing seems to come easy. Our last three wins have been wins that Championship teams are made of; you just find new ways to win games that seem lost at one point.
We got lucky in Denver with the pass interference call. We stole away a victory last week in Detroit with a miracle comeback. And then this week, we give up the lead with 44 seconds left in regulation and then win in overtime with just 16 seconds left. Sometimes luck is just with you and this seems to be one of those years like no other that I’ve ever had. Actually, back in 1998, we had 4 crazy 4th quarter comebacks that season, including the Monday Night Miracle, and that season took us all the way to the AFC Championship Game where the Jets fell apart in the 2nd half after holding a 10 point lead.
It would just be nice if we could win a game with out making us sweat it out at the end. I’d like to see a 31-10 victory already. But, I’ll surely take what has transpired through the first 9 games of the season and I’m surely not complaining about a 7-2 record as it could be a lot worse if the ball didn’t bounce our way.
The story of the game was Mark Sanchez passing for 299 yards, 2 TD passes, and 1 TD rush. But, there was as scare in the 2nd half when our Sanchize went down and Mark Brunell was warming up. However, our fearless leader re-entered the game to eventually lead us to victory. There were a few key plays in the game. There was an amazing scramble my Mark Sanchez who hit a limping Jerricho Cotchery who dove and made a miraculous catch for a first down to keep their drive alive which had put them up by 7 points after connecting a field goal. It could have been the catch of the NFL this season.
Unfortunately, the defense just couldn’t hold the Browns who walked down the field and tied up the game with just 44 seconds left. You would think that with a 7 point lead and the game on the line that our defense would have been able to stop the Browns. It was quite disgusting to watch as we had the game in hand and the defense let it slip away.
But, our lucky Jets, for the 2nd week in a row, won the coin toss. However, it didn’t result in a score. The overtime was back and fourth for a bit but things were looking bleak until the Browns, ex-Jet Chansi Stucky, turned over the ball in field goal range. The Jets then missed a FG in return. Luckily, we were able to get the ball back and Jets were in a 3rd and long situation and chucked the ball deep down field which was intercepted with about 1:34 left in the OT. This turned out to be the crucial play in overtime. The defender should have dropped the ball, forcing the Jets to punt. However, instinct took over and the Browns started with the ball on their own 1 yard line.
Our Defense was now not going to lose this game and before I could let out a deep breath; the Browns were punting the ball back to us with not a lot of time on the clock. It did help that the Browns threw on 1st down stopping the clock. Luckily, Jim Leonhard had a nice 18 yard punt return to help our field position and then on first down, Sanchez hits Santiono Holmes on a crossing route which resulted in a 37 yard TD with just 16 seconds remaining before the game would have been declared a tie. And again the Jets win.
Things didn’t start out pretty. We were playing from behind a lot in the first half. And we didn’t help ourselves with Nick Folk missing three field goals.
The most painful part of the game was coming out in the second half to conduct a 19 play, 10+ minute drive that resulted in zero points due to a missed field goal. Come on…you gotta make that kick.
Again, it wasn’t a perfect Jets victory but it was a victory and that’s all that matters in this game. If the keep playing like they do, I’ll take it as long as they win; but, I would like them to have a complete game already. Bring on the Texans !
Here are some interesting stats of this game:
1. Jets had their second straight overtime win.
2. Jets have won 8 consecutive regular season road games.
3. Jets are the first team to win consecutive overtime road games.
4. It was the first time the Jets won an overtime game on a TD reception since October 18, 1987.
5. The Jets rushed for over 100 yards for the ninth straight game to open the season. They haven’t accomplished that feat since 1978.
6. The Jets deprived the Browns their 500th franchise win.
7. The Jets have not allowed 100 yards to any running back this season.
8. Nick Folk missed a career-high 3 field goals.
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