Jets Pride

Week 20. Sunday, January 24, 2010. For 30 minutes, you could believe it might happen. The New York Jets led the Indianapolis Colts at half time 17-6. The defense was effective and so was Sanchez. But, in the second half, the Jets lost running back Shonn Greene to an injury and the defense faltered. The Colts defense also turned it on and held Sanchez and the Jets scoreless in the second half. Mark Sanchez was 17 of 30 for the day with 257 yards, two touchdowns (both in the first half) and a late interception. Jay Feely was 1 for 3 on field goal attempts, one from 52 yards. For more on this game, see this article. Next season holds a lot of promise for the New York Jets, so stay tuned.

Week 19. Sunday, January 18, 2009. The New York Jets defeated the San Diego Chargers 17-14 to move on the AFC championship game. The Chargers were on a 11 game win streak before this loss which eliminated them from the playoffs. The Jets scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held the Chargers to under 20 points for the first time this season. San Diego missed two field goal attempts (from 36 and 57 yards) which of course didn’t help their chances. The Jets intercepted twice while Sanchez threw only one interception. Next game: Sunday, January 24th, 3:00 PM, New York @ Indianapolis Colts.

Week 18. Saturday, January 9, 2010. The New York Jets defeated the Cincinnati Bengals for the second week in a row, this time in the wild card playoff. In one of his best games thus far, Mark Sanchez kept his cool and made no mistakes. He threw 12 for 15 for 182 yards with one one touch down pass and no interceptions. His passer rating was 139.4. Sanchez is only the fourth rookie quarterback to win a playoff game. Kicker Jay Feely had cover for punter Steve Weatherford (and did an outstanding job) who was found to have an irregular heartbeat just before the game. The running game was led by Shonn Green who finsihed with 135 yards on 21 carries. The defense was excellent again although the Bengals’ Cedric Benson had a good day, rushing for 169 yards. Next the Jets face the red hot San Diego Chargers. Next game: Sunday, Jan. 17th, 4:40 Pm EST, New York @ San Diego.

Week 17. Sunday, January 3, 2010. The New York Jets shut out the Cincinnati Bengals tonight 37-0. The Jets dominated the game both defensively and offensively. The Jets started it off by scoring on their first possession on a 57 yard run by Brad Smith followed immediately by a 1 yard touchdown run by Thomas Jones. Early in the second quarter the Jets missed a chance to score from the one yard line and settled for a Jay Feely field goal. The Jets scored three more times in the second quarter; a 32 yard TD run by Brad Smith, a touchdown pass by Mark Sanchez and on an interception with a half minute left that led to a field goal. At the end of the half, the Jets led 27-0. The Jets had 250 total yards; the Bengals, 7. Cincinnati’s only first down in the first half came on five yard penalty. The Jets added to their total early in the third quarter with another Jay Feely field goal from 40 yards. The Bengals got down to the Jets 10 yard line in the third quarter but a series of penalties pushed them back to the 25 yard line and they had to punt the ball away. The Jets final touchdown score came in the fourth quarter after the defense sacked the Bengals quarterback forcing a fumble. A few plays later Thomas Jones ran it it for the touchdown. Totals for the game: NY Jets 320 total yards; Sanchez was 8 for 16 for 63 passing yards. The number one defense in the NFL held Cincinnati to 72 total yards for the game. This was the Jets best game of the season and they finish end the season 9-7. So, the playoffs begin. Next game: Saturday, Jan. 9th, 4:30 PM, New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals.

Week 16. Sunday, December 27, 2009. The New York Jets defeated the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts today by a score of 29-15. The Jets were handed a present went Peyton Manning was pulled out of the game late in the third quarter with the Colts ahead. Painter came in for the Colts and was ineffective. Leading off the second half, Brad Smith returned a kickoff 106 yards, the second longest kickoff return in NFL history. Mark Sanchez went 12 of 19 for 106 yards with no interceptions or turnovers. The Jets also had 202 rushing yards. In their final game of the regular season, the New York Jets face the Cincinnati Bengals. If the Jets win, they are in the playoffs! Next game, Sun., Jan.3rd, 8:20 PM, Cincinnati @ New York (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ).

Week 15. Sunday, December 20, 2009. THe New York Jets led the Atlanta Falcons throughout the game except for the most important part-the end. The 10-7 loss might have killed their playoff hopes although they technically still have a chance. The Jets missed three- thats three- field goal attempts and Sanchez went back to throwing interceptions (three more). The defense was terrific; until the last two minutes. Then they let Atlanta march in for a touchdown and that was that. Yuck. The same old sad story. Next game: Sunday, Dec. 27th, 4:15 PM, New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts.

Week 14, Sunday, December 15, 2009. The New York Jets kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-3 this afternoon. With Mark Sanchez unavailable due to his injured leg, Kellen Clemens got the start. Clemens wasn’t spectacular, but he got the job done. He threw for 111 yards (11 for 23), no touch downs but no interceptions either. He was also sacked once. Darrelle Revis had an interception for his third game in a row, leading to the Jets final touchdown. Next game: Sunday, Dec.20th, 1:00 PM, Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets.

With Mark Sanchez unable to start due to his injured knee, Kellen Clemens will get to start his first game since 2007. Clemens was the Jets second round draft choice in 2006. This is Clemens chance to prove that he is worthy of a starting quarterback job, where ever that may be. This is a big game for the Jets, who are tied with the Miami Dolphins for second place in the AFC East. They need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Week 13. Thursday, December 3, 2009. The New York Jets defeated the Buffalo Bills today 19-13 in Toronto but Mark Sanchez hurt his leg in the mid third quarter, apparently when he scrambled and slid headfirst for a first down. Sanchez had gotten a visit from New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi earlier in the week. Girardi’s visit was to teach Sanchez how slide feet first to help avoid hurting his legs. For whatever reason, Sanchez did not use this advice and hurt his right knee and had to come out of the game. Kellen Clemens finished out the game for the Jets and led a drive in the fourth quarter that led to a Jets field goal, increasing their lead at that time. It is expected that Sanchez will be able to start the Jets next game, but nothing is certain at this time. For more details on this game, read this article. Next game: Sunday, Dec.13th, 1:00PM, New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Week 12. Sunday, November 29, 2009. The New York Jets snapped their three game losing streak today by defeating the Carolina Panthers 17-6 in the Meadowlands. Mark Sanchez went 13 for 17 with just one interception, a vast improvement over recent games. The Jets defense got four interceptions, two each by Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis. Rhodes, who had started in 74 straight games, was benched for today’s game with Eric Smith starting in his place. The benching seemed to light a fire under Kerry; we’ll see if it carry’s forward to next weeks game. Revis returned one of his interceptions 67 yards for a touchdown. Sanchez came out of the game for a short time in the fourth quarter after what appeared to be a serious injury to his left leg. However, after the trainers worked on him, he was able to return and finish the game. The Jets defense was excellent, allowing just 179 total yards and no offensive touchdowns. Next game: Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 8:20 PM, New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills.