It just keeps getting worse for the New York Jets. If last week’s debacle in Buffalo wasn’t enough, the Jets reached a new low today as they wasted a 10-point lead in the third quarter and lost 24-35 to their cross-town rivals, the New York Giants.
The start of the game looked promising for the Gang Green. S Kerry Rhodes caused a fumble, which he also recovered and spurted to the end zone, 7-0. Later in the quarter the Jets had a chance to increase their lead but PK Mike Nugent missed a 42-yard field goal attempt.
The Giants struck back on their first possession of the second quarter when former Jet RB Derrick Ward scored on an 8-yard run. On the ensuing possession the Jets marched into the Giants’ territory only to give up the ball on a turnover. QB Chad Pennington had plenty of time to throw but misread the coverage, throwing the ball right into the hands of Giants’ CB Sam Madison. Fortunately, the defense quickly got the ball back and on the next possession Pennington did deliver. He found WR/QB Brad Smith in the end zone, putting the Gang Green back on top, 14-7. With less than 40 seconds left in the first half, the Giants for some reason decided that there was still enough time for a scoring drive. Instead of running the clock out, Manning threw a pass right into the hands of LB Jonathan Vilma, instantly putting the Jets in field goal range. PK Mike Nugent was on target this time, 17-7.
As the second half began, it was quite obvious that the Giants looked like a completely different team. They easily moved the ball inside the Jets’ territory and scored a touchdown just 3:43 into the third quarter, 17-14. 80 yards on only 6 plays was almost equal to their entire output of the first half. The Jets immediately answered when on the ensuing kickoff RB Leon Washington returned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown, 24-14. This was Washington’s second return touchdown of the season. The Giants, however, just weren’t going to stop. Later in the quarter they scored again, cutting the Jets’ lead to 24-21. LB Jonathan Vilma was called offside on a 3rd and 4 play, to keep the drive alive.
On the first possession of the last quarter the Gang Green moved the ball inside the Big Blue territory and in field goal range only to give it up on a turnover again. Pennington threw an awful pass to Cotchery that hung in the air forever and was intercepted on the 2-yard line. The Giants then went 98 yards and took a 28-24 lead, their first lead of the game. Manning threw a deep pass to WR Plaxico Burress who caught the ball, embarrassed CB Andre Dyson with a stiff arm and scored a 53-yard touchdown. There was still plenty of time left but Pennington’s “heroics” were about to continue. With over three minutes left in the fourth quarter the Jets’ quarterback made another terrible read and threw the ball right to a Giants’ cornerback who took it all the way to the end zone, 35-24. Game over.
The New York Jets fell to 1-4 and there seem to be no light at the end of this abyss. The Jets’ offense is handcuffed by the fact that Chad Pennington just cannot throw a good deep ball. The opposing defenses hardly ever guard against long passes when they play the Jets. Instead, they bring more people to the line of scrimmage totally nullifying our running game. RB Thomas Jones gained only 36 yards on 13 carries against the Giants and the entire Jets’ offense rushed for a total of 55 yards (2.2 yards per carry). There has to be a change at quarterback, and the sooner this change is made the better. It’s time to start Kellen Clemens, who has a much stronger arm than Pennington and at this point gives the Gang Green a better chance to win. There sure will be growing pains, as Clemens lacks experience, and more losses but that’s the only way for Clemens to learn and be prepared to lead this team next season.
Next Sunday the Jets (1-4) will host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at the Meadowlands. The kickoff is at 1PM EST.