Jets Prevail in PA for the first time in 51 years

Back in 1969, Harry Wismer was granted a charter franchise, which was originally named the Titans of New York. In 1963, the team was renamed the Jets. The merger of the NFL and AFL took place in 1970. As part of the merger agreement, three teams, the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to transfer allegiance to the AFC. An amazing fact: during that entire half century, the Jets had never won a game at Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. The Steelers owned a composite record of 7-0 at home against Gang Green, and the Eagles 4-0 on their own turf. Last Sunday, the Jets came off the schneid.

New York was in desperate straights. They had been outscored the last two games by a composite 59-9, both matches against division opponents. Their offense seemed impotent, not having scored an offensive touchdown in the last 10 quarters. Their vaunted defense was shredded by Tom Brady and co. Last week, their trainer had intentionally tripped Miami’s gunner, who later admitted to forming a “wall” of players on the sideline to impede his play. Coach Rex Ryan and the Special Team Coordinator denied knowledge of the “wall”; all analysts were unanimous in stating that the clubs denials were ridiculous. Observers were questioning the Jets ability to close games, and their amazing string of miraculous victories was being re-defined as luck. Marty Shottenheimer, the Jets Offensive Coordinator, had been regaled last week by the frustrated Jets fans with chants of “Fire Shottie.”

Early in the week, beleaguered QB Mark Sanchez chose to make an impassioned speech after the loss to the Miami Dolphins. According to his teammates, he stood up and told his team that “You can lean on me.” This took more then a bit of courage on his part, as his performance on the field had continued to regress during the last eight games; in each one, he threw at least one interception, becoming a turnover machine. Yet Sanchez was able to live up to his promise. His numbers weren’t outstanding – 19-29, for 170 yards – yet his play belied the statistics. He showed grit, determination, leadership on the field, and refrained from turning the ball over.

The most important play of the game; likely of the season, came about with five minutes left in the third quarter. The Jets trailed the Steelers 17-10 at that point. They faced a fourth and one, with the ball at the Steeler 7 yard line. Rex Ryan chose to go for the touchdown, eschewing the prudent decision to kick the field goal. Shottenheimer dug deep into his playbook, calling a play-action bootleg. Sanchez made a perfect fake to Shonn Greene. Greene plunged into the pile, appearing to pick up the first down. The problem was that Sanchez was capering almost unnoticed into the end zone, not only tying the score, but establishing momentum. The play not only saved the season; it likely saved Shottsy’s job.

With ten minutes left in the game, Nick Folk kicked a 34 yard field goal, which gave the Jets a 20-17 lead. With two minutes and change remaining, Jason Taylor appeared to clinch the victory with a brilliant tackle of running back Mewelde Moore in the end zone for a safety, for a five point lead.

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The game was building up to a dramatic climax. Pittsburgh started their final drive from their own 8 yard line, with 2:08 left on the clock. However, they faced Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger, one of the best in the business at finishing last minute drives. Ben performed brilliantly, leading his squad all the way to the Jets 10 yard line. To most observers, especially the Jets fans, whose glass is always half empty, the game seemed fated to end in another crushing defeat, highlighting New York’s inability to close games. Yet this time, the Jets showed mental toughness. Reserve cornerback Marquice Cole broke up a pass intended for Mark Spaeth in the end zone on the final play of the game, and the Jets won their most important victory of the season. They now have a healthy two game lead for the second wild card slot, and but need to beat the Bears in Chicago next week in order to clinch a playoff position. Like the Giant Super Bowl squad of 2007-08, the Jets are Road Warriors, having a record of 6-1 on the road. Thus, being designated as a Wild Card team shouldn’t be much of a hindrance.

After the game, Coach Ryan summed it up:

"We played like Jets," Ryan said. "We played like the team I think we are -- a team that is physical, prideful, has a lot of talent and a team that expects to go out and win. That's exactly how we know how to play and we know what we have to do."

For once, the Jets won a significant game against one of the best teams in the NFL, on enemy turf, refusing to collapse, playing with grit and determination. The hangover from the Patriot debacle is thus removed, and Gang Green has regained its mojo.

Bring on Da Bears!

By: Paul J. Nebenfuhr
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent