Two halves - two different Jets teams. We didn't see it for the first time today and I am sure we'll see more of such games as the season progresses. That's Herman Edwards' football, no more, no less.
The Jets came out totally flat in the first half, as they were forced to punt on their first four possessions. The 49ers did not look that impressive either but still were able to capitalize on two long drives that went for 78 and 88 yards. So, half way through the second quarter the New York Jets found themselves trailing 0-14 to the 1-4 San Francisco 49ers, a team that was hardly given any chances prior to this game. It was time for the Jets to finally wake up and they did...
On their fifth possession the Gang Green finally managed to sustain a 10-play drive that culminated in a 43-yard field goal that cut the Niners' lead to 14-3. The defense quickly got the ball back but it was just too late to do anymore damage in the second quarter, as the half ended.
As the second half started, we saw a totally different Jets team. First, RB LaMont Jordan scored on a 17-yard TD run that ended a beatutiful 11-play drive that went for 91 yards. That was Jordan's first touchdown of the season and the first game where he carried the ball more than once. The Jets went for a 2-point conversion, trying to cut the lead to just 14-11, but failed. The 49ers still had a 5-point lead but it obvisouly wasn't in the Jets' plans to let San Francisco have the lead for much longer.
On the next possession QB Chad Pennington completed 4 out of 4 passes, as the Jets drove deep in the San Francisco territory. RB Curtis Martin scored on a 1-yard TD run, giving the Jets their first lead of the game. The Gang Green tried yet another 2-point conversion, which also failed.
The 1-point lead remained until 1:44 left in the 4th quarter when 49ers got the ball back with a perfect opportunity for a game-winning drive. It didn't take long, however, for QB Tim Rattay to bury any hopes that the 49ers might have had. He threw the ball right into the hands of rookie MLB Jonathan Vilma who returned the interception to the 49ers' 20-yard line, instantly putting the Jets in field goal range. Four plays later RB Curtis Martin scored another rushing touchdown, setting the final score 22-14 in favor of the New York Jets.
Martin once again was the best player on offense, as he gained 111 yards on 25 carries and scored 2 touchdowns. Today's performance allowed him to move up to 8th place on the all-time rushing list. QB Chad Pennington was 20 for 30, 222 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. WR Justin McCareins finally put up decent numbers - 3 receptions for 56 yards. TE Anthony Becht also looked good - 4 receptiond for 47 yards.
On defense, CB David Barrett led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). DE John Abraham registered yet another sack, his 7th of the season. Rookie MLB Jonathan Vilma added 4 tackles (2 solo) to his game-sealing interception.
Next Sunday the Jets will take on the undefeated New England Patriots in Foxboro. The Jets (5-0) and the Patriots (5-0) are two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the league. The Patriots have won 20 games in a row, including two wins against the Jets last year. The kickoff is at 4:05 PM EST.