The last time I watched Brett Favre take on the Denver Broncos in a meaningful game (Superbowl 32), I cried myself to sleep. This time around, I felt like doing the same, but it was not because of the result, the poor performance, or the terrible officiating, it was simply due to the cold that mother nature brought to all of us who were supposedly lucky to have a ticket.
So, while my fellow b/r Jets community was watching the game from the comfort of a bar, I, along with 78,808 others, braved the elements to watch the Jets get washed away, 34-17. The weather also prevented me from taking a picture, as I do for every Jets home game
The Jets entered the game on a five-game win streak, having ended the Titans undefeated season last week. They faced a Broncos team who was routed by the lowly Oakland Raiders at home and was looking for a bright spot on what has been a roller-coaster season.
After winning the coin toss, the Jets would have their five-game opening drive scoring streak snapped on a simple three-and-out, in which they moved four yards. It wouldn't be until their next possession in which points would be put up on the scoreboard, for the Broncos that is.
After moving the ball effectively, the Jets would line up in the wildcat formation, in which WR Brad Smith took the snap and handed off to Jerricho Cotchery, who let the ball go and seemed to recover it.
However, no whistle was blown as the ball was hit out and recovered by Vernon Fox who returned it for 23 yards. Eric Mangini wanted a challenge but was told that Cotchery never had possession and the play was not reviewable.
It took the Jets just one play to tie up the game thanks to a Thomas Jones 59-yard run as they looked gain some stability in an already wild game. Those hopes would go south as Jay Cutler would connect with rookie Eddie Royal for a 59-yard TD that would be challenged by Mangini, who argued the receivers foot was out of bounds.
The play would stand, making the score 14-7. The Broncos would add a 25-yard field goal courtesy of Matt Prater before the Jets would get on the board again. The challenge flags would continue to rain on the field, this time after a Thomas Jones 29-yard TD.
Jones took the hand-off and went down, but his body rolled over the Broncos’ Kenny Peterson without touching the ground, allowing him to continue the play and bring the Jets within three.
They didn't know it then but it would be the last time they would see the end zone, as Denver would run up the score with a Peyton Hillis TD and another Prater FG making the score 27-14 heading into the half.
Any hopes of a Jets comeback were short lived, as it took them two possessions to earn three points on a Jay Feely 30 yarder. Meanwhile, Cutler couldn't find the end zone as easily, despite making plays that resulted in more than 20 yards.
That would finally change as he found Brandon Stokley for a 36-yard TD capping off the 34-17 upset at the Meadowlands. Cutler would finish 27-43 with 357 yds one TD and INT. He would line up 36 out of said 43 in a shotgun formation something the Jets could not stop at all or even get a hand on.
Thanks to a Steelers win over the Patriots, the Jets still lead first place in the AFC East by one game despite the loss. They look to rebound against the 4-8 San Fransisco 49ers away making it their third trip to the Golden State this season.
The Good
Thomas Jones was the only exciting player on the field as he was responsible for both scores. Other than that, not much good came out of this game for the Jets.
The Bad
Having their win streak snapped after convincing wins in New England and Tennessee will force the Jets to recover quickly as they look to close out the season on a high.
The Ugly
This is a toss up between the referees and the Jets' 4th-and-1 play-action decision both times.
Game Ball
Jay Cutler grew up idolizing Brett Favre and on Sunday did his best impression as he was more than effective when it mattered most connecting on big plays making the supposedly good Jets defense look anything but.
2 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Angel Navedo 7 months ago
Cutler definitely looked like Favre twelve years ago. That pass he made down by the one-yard line while Gholston chased him was something else. He's going to be good. The fact that we couldn't stop the run made his life a whole lot easier.
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Sergei Miledin 7 months ago
36 out 43 in shotgun formation is nuts. That game was miserable all around
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