Results tagged “afcwildcard”

A look at some noteworthy programs this week:

The game: Jets at Kansas City (1:00 PM ET, Sunday, CBS)

First, the Jets played well enough to win. Then, at the latest and worse possible moment, a single player's costly mistake (Eric Barton's personal foul on Drew Brees after an incomplete pass that otherwise would have effectively ended the game) singlehandedly allowed the Chargers to tie the game and force overtime. Had San Diego rookie Nate Kaeding's 40-yard field goal attempt in overtime been good, Barton would be seen as a 'Bill Buckner' of football - in New York, no less. Anyhow, Barton ultimately would be off the hook (another similar story), after Doug Brien converted on a 28-yard attempt in the extra period.

Interestingly, the Jets' spot had been assured at some point in the second half of their game, but most players said they were not aware of the Pittsburgh-Buffalo result until they had arrived in the locker room. Say what you want about competitiveness, but it brings up yet another opportunity to second-guess everything, considering it is the norm for playoff-bound teams rest key players in fear of injury.

The usually well-behaved Jets were penalized 12 times for 84 yards - astoundingly, all in the first half. Jets QB Chad Pennington (17-for-31, 189 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT) knew his performance was subpar, and said he blames only himself.

One way or another Sunday marks the beginning of the end for the Jets (at least as in the final quarter of the season), as the team travels to face the league's hottest team - the Steelers (11-1), and the league's hottest quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., TV: CBS; RADIO: 1050AM ESPN). The rookie has been nothing short of immortal, off to an unheard of 10-0 start, only a few months after graduating from Miami University.