Just Short

When Mike Nugent's potentially game-winning 53 yard field goal sailed about 12 inches short, and the host Jets soon fell to 2-9 with a 21-19 loss to New Orleans, you knew it wasn't long before the "there's always next year" hopes and columns would arise. But it's just not that simple yet.

After Curtis Martin yesterday became the fourth NFL running back to ever reach 14,000 yards in the first quarter, the offensive unit soon sputtered on the evening, even though Brooks Bollinger returned from a concussion to play reasonably well and Kliff Kingsbury did not end up playing or starting, as he had been in line to do so.

But Jets head coach Herman Edwards was right – for a game between two 2-8 teams with five game losing steraks, it was pretty entertaining. As was Better Than Ezra, which played on the field at halftime.

Sunday, the Jets visit New England to face the winners of three of the past four Super Bowls, and if that can be merely entertaining, most fans would be satisfied.

Photo by Reuters/Ray Stubblebine