With the excitement from the New York Jets' win over the New England Patriots beginning to level off, it's important for fans to reflect on the overall significance of the win as they return to normalcy.
Fans witnessed the good and the bad from the Jets on Thursday night, but they finally had an opportunity to see their team end up on the winning side of a nail-biter.
A lot of words are going to be thrown around about the Patriots being a shadow of themselves because of key injuries to star players. Even more words will be spewed regarding the 18-point lead New York let slip away.
Not enough can ever be said about what the Jets did to take full control of their division as the home-stretch approaches.
No Offensive Player Left Behind
The first-half of football showed what New York can do when they're clicking on all cylinders. It shows how dangerous the Jets are when their players are executing the way they're supposed to and the offensive coordinator's gameplan is on the money.
Brett Favre was spreading the ball around, as every offensive player had an opportunity to touch the ball and take it for positive yardage. But most importantly, he did it without committing any mistakes.
The Jets' early stretch of mediocrity was usually coupled with ugly turnovers from the future Hall of Famer. For the second consecutive week, Favre led his team to victory without giving his opponents an opportunity to take it away.
Thomas Jones carried the ball 30 times for over 100 yards and a touchdown—his fourth straight game finding the end zone.
And he did it against a Patriots' defense that hadn't allowed a 100-yard game from any running back since the Ronnie Brown show in Week Three.
Going into Overdrive in Overtime
Brett Favre said the team was "deflated" when Randy Moss reminded the Jets why he's one of the greatest receivers to play the game.
Catching a touchdown that would lead New England to tying the game with one second remaining is the kind of glory Patriots' fans have grown accustomed to in the new millennium.
It was the kind of play that takes the life right out of a team. And it nearly did.
But one word resurrected the Favre-led Jets when it mattered most.
"Tails!"
That's what Jets' Captain and star Safety Kerry Rhodes called when the coin was in the air to give his team the ball. And it's the only significant way to tell the tale of the Jets' dramatic finish in Massachusetts.
It was that word that would allow the Jets to exhaust New England of any adrenaline for the next seven minutes and 50 seconds. Being on the receiving end of the opening kickoff in overtime was all New York needed to seal the game that looked to be theirs from the beginning.
Favre and rookie Dustin Keller connected to convert two crucial third downs against a team that needed the win just as badly.
In what was more than just a regular-season game for first-place in their division, New York announced to the NFL that they are contenders. They gave the league a look at the different ways they can win a game.
Whether it be a snap to Brad Smith, a clutch special-teams return by Leon Washington, a 100-yard rushing game from Thomas Jones, or veteran leadership from Brett Favre—the New York Jets have declared to the NFL that they are as dangerous and multifaceted as a championship team should be.
Angel Navedo is the Head Writer at NYJetsFan.com, boasting Jet Fuel Radio, frequently updated news and opinions, and a premier fan community. He is also the Community Leader for the New York Jets on Bleacher Report.
comments (9) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Schottenheimer shows why no one will rush to make him a head coach. When they get a lead, rather than step on the gas, he goes conservative. Why not score 100 points if you can? No need to make it a nailbiter. We can say the same with the defense. Why go to prevent and let the Patriots march down the field? Whether it's the coordinators or Mangini ( no longer called Mangenius), they do not have a killer attitude. It's why Jet fans always feel "same old Jets," and why a physically decimated Patriots' team could come back: killer instinct and great coaching.
from about 1 month ago
It's the weirdest thing, because after 2006, he was sought after by Miami for their head coaching job. All of the innovation he had in 2006 seems gone. It's something about the Jets and going conservative that's plagued this team no matter who calls the plays. I do agree with you, Roberta. This team needs to put their foot on people's throats. But winning by 3 or 30 is still a great feeling.
about 1 month ago
I think the Patriots are still a superior team, but the Jets have so much talent on both ends of the ball.
I think the conservative system can work because it allows their talent to make the big plays individually ( Jenkins play was monumental for most of the game ).
I look for the Jets to get to the AFC Championship. As for the Patriots, they will have to get some of their players out of the injury room, and then they could have a legit shot.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the comment, RedSox!
I think it's going to be tough the whole way through. The Jets-Patriots game is going to extend all the way through Week 17. These teams are going to be going at it even when they're not facing one another. I'd love to see the Jets in the AFC Championship though. It's been too long.
about 1 month ago
We are definetly contenders now and the Patriots are not the superior team anymore. Even on paper, the Jets are a better team than the Pats. If the Giants could beat the Ravens this week and the Jets keep on playing this way we could see them getting a bye week in week one.
from about 1 month ago
Good point. The Jets are in a good position to take the season in their own hands. I'd love to see them win outright for the rest of the season. That means starting off with a win against Tennessee on Nov. 23rd. They don't look so invincible, that's for sure.
about 1 month ago
I dont think they will win outright for the rest of the season but I certainly see them going 5-1 and finishing at 12-4.
about 1 month ago
I have been watching the Jets for my whole life. I believe they will find a way to lose. A good team on paper does nothing. We don't play on paper. Every time your head allows you to feel good about the team, the Jets will do something, lose in some way to break your heart. Remember the AJ Duhe playoff game. Remember the Dan Marino spike. You might be asking why is she a Jets fan then. Like a child who gets funny looking, pimply and rude in adolescence, the Jets are my child. However, I'm a mother still praying for my child to move out of its teen years, after 39 years of waiting. I fear Chad Pennington coming back to bite us; I fear Favre throwing a game breaking interception; I fear for Jenkins health; I fear Mangini's conservative nature.
from about 1 month ago
I understand how you feel, Roberta, I felt the same way about the Pats for a WHOLE lot of years. Then, out of the blue, all the breaks started coming our way. We had a good thing going for a few years. We have fallen on leaner times lately, but I no longer feel like a fan of an eternally doomed team. We will have something to celebrate again in a couple of years.
I'm just saying... stuff happens. Maybe your Jets WON'T find a way to lose. Maybe... well, who knows? Chin up!
write a new comment