The New York Jets are in the playoffs and they will face the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Game next Sunday. The Gang Green defeated the Oakland Raiders, 23-3, to guarantee a playoff berth and a few hours later the San Francisco 49ers upset the Denver Broncos, helping the Jets move up to #5 seed in the AFC.
The teams exchanged scoreless possessions at the start of the first quarter. Then, following an Oakland fumble, which gave them the ball in the Raiders’ territory, QB Chad Pennington connected with TE Chris Baker on a 1-yard TD pass.
Early in the second quarter Oakland scored a field goal, cutting the Jets’ lead to 7-3. The Jets tried to answer right away but their 10-play drive was stopped close to field goal range. They, however, did score a field goal before the first half came to an end. PK Mike Nugent converted a 35-yarder and the Jets went into halftime with a 10-3 lead.
Nugent scored another field goal, a 22-yarder, on the first possession of the second half, as the Jets’ offense was one again put up a long drive (12 plays) but failed to score a touchdown. On the ensuing Oakland’s possession the Jets’ defense made a fourth down stop, which gave the offense an excellent field position close to midfield.
The Gang Green capitalized early in the fourth quarter when RB Leon Washington scored on a 15-yard TD run just four plays into the period. Nugent scored another field goal two minutes later, 23-3.
QB Chad Pennington finished the game 22 of 30 for 157 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. RB Leon Washington gained 53 yards on 15 carries, 1 TD. WR Jerricho Cotchery made 7 receptions for 53 yards, but finished shy of the 1000-yard mark on the season.
LB Victor Hobson led the defense with 9 tackles (5 solo). DE Shaun Ellis added 7 tackles (5 solo). FS Kerry Rhodes and LB Eric Barton registered one sack apiece; the latter also caused a fumble. Rookie S Eric Smith had the only interception of the game.
Next Sunday the Jets will travel to New England to take on their division rivals. The kickoff is at 1:00 PM ET. The teams have played twice this season, each claiming victories on the road.