Last Night's Action: Phew

Photograph of the Jets' Laveranues Coles pulling in a reception as New England Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs, left, and linebacker Mike Vrabel move in by Winslow Townson/AP

Jets 34 Patriots 31 (OT): Before the game you could have debated if this was a must-win for the Jets. But after taking a 24-6 lead Thursday night, the Jets had no choice but to win this game. New York took the opening drive down the field for a touchdown and then exchanged field goals with New England to end the first quarter with a 10-3 lead. After another Patriots field goal, Leon Washington returned the kickoff all the way to put the Jets up 17-6. Brett Favre added a touchdown pass to make it 24-6 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
But, New England came back. Matt Cassel led his team down the field for a touchdown just before the half and while the teams mostly exchanged punts in the fourth quarter, Cassel found the end zone again and added a 2-point conversion to bring the Patriots to within three as the third quarter expired.

New England tied things up at 24 and then the Jets used a 14-play/7 minute drive that ended in a touchdown to give them the lead with just over three minutes remaining in the game. New England had one last shot and went 8-plays/63 yards with no timeouts to tie the game on a touchdown grab by Randy Moss with 1 second left in the game.

The Jets won the coin toss, received the ball and completed a huge 3rd-and-15 to keep their drive alive. Brett Favre made a couple more key completions and Jay Feely just kicked a field goal to send the Jets to victory and give them first place in the AFC East.

Islanders 3 Ottawa 1: Joey MacDonald had another strong game with 29 saves and New York used the power play to score twice in their win.

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By Peter Trinkle in News on November 14, 2008 12:15 AM

Comments [rss]

zaj

This game signals, a) that the NEPatsies merely do not have to 'show-up' to get the win, and b) that CASSEL is on his way to becoming a 'class-quarterback' in the NFL, also c) the AFC EAST is gonna be one tough 'dogfight' of a division this year!!! The greatest thing this game highlighted was that 'sudden-death' contests in pro football are the way to 'play' overtime contests instead of the 'give-everybody-a-chance-nanny-style-wussies'of college football which have completely ruined 'TIES' in college football!!!

jaycjay

"I gotta hand it to the Jets. They really were just a QB away from contending."

Don't overlook that Favre wasn't their only offseason acquisition. They also added two other star offensive players, guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody. No doubt the offensive unit was going to more effective no matter who was at QB.

I had it on in the background up through the 3rd quarter and thought it was over. And I woke up to hear that they only won in OT. Crazy.

Credit the Patriot's coaching staff over that of the Jets. After being shut down through the first half the Pats made some adjustments, including going mostly no-huddle. The Jets didn't have an answer, and if not for two Patriot miscues -- a lost fumble and a near 20-yard loss on a bad snap -- could easily have lost in regulation.

I was very glad the Jets received the opening kickoff in OT.

nomnomnom

I can't believe that game got that close. I had it on in the background up through the 3rd quarter and thought it was over. And I woke up to hear that they only won in OT. Crazy.

JenChungsBaby

I gotta hand it to the Jets. They really were just a QB away from contending.

Well, two QBs really -- Favre and Brady.

EricGewiz

The news of the Islanders win is that they didn't lose the game in the Third Period, which has been the trend as of late.

gtraindelay

High Five!

HUGO_MEGO

Typical Jets game. The only thing that wasn't typical is they won! HIGH FIVE to all the double chinned bi-girls with XXL bottoms cheering for the gang green!