The New York Jets Take Back Gotham
The New York Jets won a big one on Sunday and they did so in dramatic fashion.
30. Final. 20. 31. 23
It took overtime to get the job done, but the New York Jets won the battle of Gotham, taking down the Giants 23-20 in overtime to move to 7-5 and into the first wild card spot in the AFC (pending the rest of the week’s action). The Giants will now have a tough hill to climb, sitting at seven losses.
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Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, congratulations to Brandon Marshall for becoming the first player ever to post a 1,000 yard receiving season with four separate teams, and being the first 1,000 yard New York Jets’ receiver since Jerricho Cotchery in 2007. He is a beast, and one of the best Jets’ acquisitions in a long time.
A big story of this game was the New York Jets’ defense, although the scoreboard didn’t really reflect it. The defense did a great deal to keep this game within striking distance.
There were two huge spots in this game when the Jets’ defense stiffened at the right time. The first was after the Chris Ivory fumble, early in the second quarter. The Giants were set up at the Jets’ ten, but they were held to a field goal. A touchdown would have put the Jets down 14-3, and changed the complexion of the game.
The second was late in the first half. A 45 yard pass from Eli Manning to Will Tye set the Giants up at the Jets’ 25 yard line. A touchdown would have put the Giants ahead 24-10, but the Jets held, and it was a ten point game.
Don’t forget the key three-and-out that left the Jets’ the chance to tie the game.
The New York Jets’ defense bent on Sunday, but it did not break.
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Coughlin has had a wonderful run as the Giants’ coach, but Sunday against the New York Jets was not one of his best days. He wasted a challenge early in the game, and made a decision in the middle of the fourth quarter that changed the entire football game.
The Giants started a drive a little more than halfway through the third quarter, and was shaping up to be the deciding drive of the game. They had the Jets tired as they took the ball down the field, crossing over into the fourth quarter and taking 10-plus minutes. The culmination was on fourth and two from the Jets’ four yard line. A chip shot field goal would have put the Giants’ up by 13, and left the Jets’, who were lifeless to that point, all but dead.
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But Tom Coughlin didn’t take the points, instead looking to put an emphatic nail in the New York Jets’ coffin. Instead, a short pass intended for Rueben Randle was picked off by safety Rontez Miles, and the Jets’ were back in business. A field goal by Randy Bullock and a Brandon Marshall touchdown with 32 seconds left tied it. A Bullock field goal followed by a Josh Brown miss ended it, and the New York Jets walked away with a huge win in the AFC playoff race and bragging rights in New York.
Ryan Fitzpatrick put in another strong performance, following up his four touchdown game against the Dolphins by going 36-of-50 for 390 yards and two more touchdown passes, adding 22 yards on the ground.
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver
Dwayne Harris(17) returns a punt for touchdown against New York Jets running back
Bilal Powell(29) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest red flag of the game for the New York Jets were the special teams. They simply aren’t any good. They gave up another huge return, as Dwayne Harris scampered 80 yards for an early go-ahead touchdown. Since Mike Westhoff retired from the Jets’ coaching staff a few years ago, they have given up big play after big play on special teams. Something must change there…period.
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It may not have been pretty, but it is a huge win for the New York Jets. They head into Week 14 in good position at 7-5, and a winnable game against the Titans at home next week.