When we thought that we had seen it all, the New York Jets reached a new low on Sunday afternoon... With 1:19 to go in the fourth quarter and the Jets trailing 13-20, the Gang Green had the ball on Chicago's 37-yard line. QB Chad Pennington completed a pass to WR Wayne Chrebet who broke to the Bears' 15-yard line and then.... decided to jump and possibly gain 2-3 more yards. Chrebet fumbled, Chicago recovered, and the game, along with the Jets season, was over. Why did such an experienced player like Chrebet decide to do that? You just never know with these Jets, you just never know. A first and 10 on the Bears' 15 with 1:10 to go would have given the Jets more than enough opportunities to tie this game...
It wasn't only Chrebet's fault though. The entire offense forgot to show up in the first half. In the first two quarters the Jets had the ball less than 10 minutes, possessed the ball only 4 times, punted 3 times, and turned it over on downs once. Meanwhile, the Bears sustained 2 drives with more than 10 plays, and put 10 points on the board.
In the second half the offense came alive. RB Curtis Martin broke a 35-yard run to the Bears' 7-yard line, then two plays later Pennington connected with Chrebet on a 5-yard touchdown pass. However, the Jets' defense still wasn't on the field. Well, they were there, but it didn't look like they were playing. First, QB Chris Chandler completed 4 passes in a row, moving the Bears to the Jets' 40. Chandler, supposedly an old washed up quarterback, completed 22 of 27 passes in this game - 82%! Then, DT Jason Ferguson committed a boneheaded roughing the passer penalty, and gave Chicago 15 more yards. Former Jet RB Leon Johnson made a 23-yard run to the Jets' 2. Finally, on the next play Leon Johnson practically walked into the end zone.
Later in the third quarter the Jets scored a field goal and cut the lead to seven points. In the fourth quarter the teams exchanged field goals, the score became 13-20, which led to the last drive that ended with Chrebet's fumble.
In the 2000 season the Jets only needed to beat the lowly Detroit Lions to make the playoffs. The Gang Green lost 7-10. In the 2001 season the Jets needed to beat the lowly Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs. The Jets lost 9-14. In the 2002 season the Jets needed to beat the lowly Chicago Bears to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Jets lost 13-20. Coaches come and go, players come and go, but the tradition of losing continues. It doesn't go anywhere. Another lost season, 34 years and counting....
NEW YORK JETS - COMMITTMENT TO LOSING!