Well, the New York Jets beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team that many of us had predicted they would beat. However, I don't think that many of us had thought that this win would come as result of a last-minute comeback in the fourth quarter.
The Gang Green struggled the first three quarters, scoring only six points on two Doug Brien's field goals. Only six points against a 2-8 team that had allowed 241 points in the previous ten games this season. The Jaguars had plenty of opportunities to score and put this game away, but the inability of rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich to seal the deal helped the Jets stay in the game and orchestrate a perfect drive late in the first quarter. QB Chad Pennington connected with WR Santana Moss on a 3-yard touchdown pass with just 26 seconds left in the game, and lifted the Jets to a 4-7 record.
Once again the Jets' defense against the run forgot to show up. This time they allowed 158 yards on the ground (119 by Fred Taylor). I may understand when you allow that many yards on the ground to a team with a decent quarterback, but when you allow so many rushing yards to a team that can only hurt you on the ground, that's just beyond me.
Will we ever see this defense blitz? Once again for the most part of the game we only saw a 4-men pass-rush. Last week the Jets were picked apart by Peyton Manning because the latter was given all time in the world to throw the football. Today the Jets were playing exactly the same against Byron Leftwich. Of course, Leftwich is no Manning and he didn't destroy the Jets defense through the air, but I\'m afraid that if the Jaguars had a quarterback with at least a few years of NFL experience the result of this game would not be in the Gang Green's favor.
On offense we again witnessed yet another "masterful" game plan by Paul Hackett. The Jets were playing not to lose for 3+ quarters and then finally let it all out when there was no other choice with 2 minutes left in the game. When will Hackett and Edwards finally realize that such game plans wouldn't work against teams with a winning record? When will Hackett finally realize that the entire freaking world knows that he's going to call a draw play on second and long?
In eight days the Jets will face the 9-2 Tennessee Titans on Monday Night. Will Herm and Co. make any adjustments and change their "not to lose" approach? This remains to be seen..