It's been seven years since the New York Jets had a losing season. In 1996, the year most of us would like to forget, the Gang Green finished with the worst in the league 1-15 record. Last night the Jets ended the 7-year streak, as they lost to the New England Patriots, 16-21.
The Jets had their chances to win this game, but the inability to pick up New England's blitzes along with the disastrous performance by QB Chad Pennington, who threw career-high 5 interceptions, opened the road to victory for the Patriots. New England threw all kinds of blitz schemes at the young Jets' quarterback, constantly putting him under pressure and causing hurried throws and poor coverage reads. Apparently, Bill Belichick and his coaching staff had watched plenty of tapes from last year's playoff game against the Oakland Raiders because this is exactly what the Raiders did to Pennington last year in the divisional playoff game. Pennington finished the game 24 of 43 for 229 yards, 0 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also gained 20 yards on the ground and scored both of the Jets' touchdowns. RB Curtis Martin rushed for 89 yards on 22 carries.
The defense played relatively well for the most part of the game, allowing only 138 passing yards. On the ground, however, it was the same story all over again. The Patriots, who had not had a 100-yard rusher in one game this season, were able to gain 133 yards on the ground against the slow Jets' run defense, 121 of these yards by RB Antowaine Smith. The Gang Green failed to put much pressure on QB Tom Brady, as they did not blitz and kept trying to rush Brady with just the defensive linemen. FS Tyrone Carter made the only Jets' interception, which was only their 10th of the season. LB Sam Cowart and DT Jason Ferguson led the team with six tackles apiece.
Well, with just one game to go in the season the Jets are facing a very possible 6-10 record. Next Sunday they will take on the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Miami, 9-6, is still fighting for the Wild Card and will be more than eager to sweep the Jets for the first time since 1997. Can the Jets play the spoiler role and end the season for the Dolphins? We'll get the answer in 7 days..