Jets Sashaying into Playoffs
Uncategorized December 26th. 2006, 1:21pm
You can take the heroics of Vince Young, the emergence of Tony Romo, or the record-setting ways of LT, but for us, the most impressive aspect of the NFL season has been the New York Jets.
Take it upon yourselves, please: dare you to find one ‘analyst’ or even an impartial blogger (read: non-Jets fan) who predicted the injury-ravaged New York Jets, with their fresh-faced rookie coach, dink-and-dunk quarterback, no-name defense, and cadre of unheralded running backs, would make the playoffs.
Bon chance!
After the Saints drilled the Cowboys in Dallas a few weeks back on national TV, Sean Payton of the Saints was practically handed the NFL coach of the Year trophy. We plan on making a midnight heist of the thing six days from now – after the Jets beat the Raiders and become one of the unlikeliest playoff teams in NFL history. Because should the Jets get in, Eric Mangini deserves the trophy.
It’s that simple: beat the Raiders next week at home, and New York is in. Oakland, losers of eight straight (outscored in that time 67-19), has a lot to play for, as well: Detroit almost certainly will lose to Dallas, and the Cowboys are seeking a playoffs berth. If Oakland and Detroit both lose, they will be tied for worst record in the NFL at 2-14. At stake: Brady Quinn.
How have the Jets done it? No idea. They’re on in our market every week, but the offense is absolutely unwatchable. They’ll run it twice for five yards, and dink it to the tight end or fullback for six. Then there’s a few more plows into the line of scrimmage, and another fullback screen. At this point, we switch the channel.
Just as we do, Pennington will find Coles deep – for 15 yards. Seven boring minutes later, and New York settles for a field goal. The Jets leading rusher? Rookie Leon Washington … with 597 yards! Somebody make a quick check with Elias to see if that’s the new low for a playoff team.
Can You Tell Them How To Get (How To Get) To The Playoffs? (Deadspin)
Jets Endure Dolphins’ Defense and the South Florida Rain (NY Times)
Season’s Beatings! Jets 13, Dolphins 10 (The Jets blog)
2 Responses to “Jets Sashaying into Playoffs”
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December 26th, 2006 at 5:28 PM
Guys, guys calm down. The Jets beat one team with a winning record – the Patriots. And don’t think Bill Belichek doesn’t remember how unprepared his team was for that game. It was just two weeks ago that the entire Jets TV market (we get the games up here in Burlington, Vermont, too) was absolutely silent after NY got drilled by Buffalo.
Commend Eric Mangini for having the Jets ready to beat the teams in front of them but a good team with the Jets schedule would be 13-2 right now. And with that sked Eric Manwich cannot be ahead of Sean Peyton for COY honors.
December 26th, 2006 at 6:05 PM
“injury-ravaged?” The Jets have stayed very healthy. They are headed to the playoffs because they play a weak schedule, in a weak division, and Chad Pennington didn’t get hurt like he does every year.
Eric Mangini does not deserve the trophy. Check It!