Gang Green Hoo-Doo Masters Vanquish Texas

At first the game gave indications of being a comfortable, solid Jets victory. Late in the fourth quarter, it devolved into an apparent fourth quarter collapse. But the final result was the same as in the previous four games: an unbelievable last second victory, and the hero, once again, Santonio Holmes. Thus, the Jets raised their record to an NFL leading 8-2, which seemingly could just as easily be 2-8. They have now won their last five games by a total of 25 points, with two victories in overtime. Gang Green is stretching the maxim that “you are as good as your record” to its ultimate theoretical limits. As one wag stated, “The Jets are like cockroaches, you can’t kill ‘em.”

Late in the third quarter, a fan made a mad dash across the field for close to 80 yards, before tripping and being corralled by several security officers and New Jersey State Troopers. Perhaps inspired by the tenacity and agility of the Jet fanatic, Santonio Holmes caught a short slant pass from Mark Sanchez, and flew past the Texas secondary into the end zone, securing a 20-7 lead for the Jets. Soon afterwards, Mark DeVito forced a fumble by Adrian Foster, which was recovered by Jim Leonhard at the Texan 22 yard line. The Jets were unable to cash in for a TD within the Red Zone, and had to settle for a Nick Folk 30 yard field goal. Thus, the fourth quarter began with the Jets leading the Texans by a margin of 23-7. Houston began its comeback with a 38 yard field goal by Neil Rackers with 12:21 left on the clock. With a tad more then nine minutes remaining in the game, Jets running back Shonne Green fumbled on the Houston 48 yard line, and the ball was recovered by Kevin Bentley. On the very next play, Texan QB Matt Schaub threw a 43 yard touchdown pass to Tight End Joel Dreesen, giving his best Antonio Gates impression. The score was now 23-17. The Jets fans, who listened to Head Coach Rex Ryan’s plea to arrive early and make noise, became noticeably less raucous after the TD, perhaps sensing impending doom. Of course, Jets fans are perpetually phlegmatic, and always sense impending doom. It is a wonderful defense mechanism, as in the years since Broadway Joe; hopes have been dashed time and time again. The Jets darkest fears appeared to become reality when, with 2:18 seconds on the clock, Adrian Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher, scored a controversial go-ahead one yard touchdown. Foster was hit at the goal line, landed on a teammate, while attempting to place the ball over the goal line. The call was challenged by Ryan, but replay upheld the decision.

With the Texans now ahead 24-23, Mark Sanchez was intercepted by Kevin Bentley, and thousands of disenchanted fans headed to the exits. The Jets had .49 seconds to score a TD from their own 28 yard line, and were out of timeouts. The miracle run was apparently over.

In a drive reminiscent of the exploits of John Elway or Joe Montana, Sanchez completed four passes for a total of 72 yards, the finale coming on a perfect spiral to Santonio Holmes, running a fade pattern towards the left corner of the end zone. This marked the third straight week that Holmes made the decisive game-winning catch.

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The perpetually underachieving Texans, whose motto is “Eight wins are Great”, are New York’s alter ego. The devastating loss to the Jets had been preceded by a loss to Jacksonville the week prior on a “Hail Mary” pass in the end zone. Two weeks ago, Houston lost to the Chargers on a late interception after driving for a potential go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter.

The question remains: how long can the Jets maintain this unbelievable run? Not since the Cardiac Cardinals of the 70’s has a team won games in an equivalent fashion. The Jets have little time to contemplate their uncanny success, as they play the Cincinnati Bengals Thanksgiving Eve. But just because you have rolled 7/11 a dozen times in a row doesn’t mean that you will fail on the 13th attempt. Or that the alleged Haitian Hoo-Doo master who is utilizing his/her black arts to aid and assist the Jets in this improbable run will lose its potency. Who amongst us does not await the AFC version of Armageddon in two weeks time, when the Jets have a rematch with their arch-enemy, the New England Patriots? At any rate, hang on tight, for this season has the makings of a run for glory.

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