Jets Takeoff

Two important announcements from the Jets, and both considered good news if you ask me.

First, the Jets will pay tribute Sunday night to their 26 years at Giants Stadium with a halftime celebration that will feature at least one player from every season the team has played at the Meadowlands appearing at the ceremony. Former players include Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Wesley Walker, Marty Lyons, Al Toon, Wayne Chrebet, and Vinny Testaverde. The Jets have called Giants Stadium home since 1984 when they moved to New Jersey from Shea Stadium in Queens.

Next, no alcohol will be served at the game, a decision made by the team in consultation with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The Jets cite the late start of Sunday night’s game (8:20) coupled with the game being the final one for the Jets at the Meadowlands as the reasons for their decision.

The no-alcohol policy is a good one. I know fans who want to drink will do so in the parking lot before the game (let me suggest an added police presence), but Jets’ fans have proven time and time again to be irresponsible, crude, and often times violent drinkers. I’ve witnessed some terrible behavior, words, and actions from Jets’ fans, most of whom have been under the influence. Fans, you deserve this alchohol ban.

Rich Kotite

We go back to the New York Post this morning for more on the Jets’ closing of Giants Stadium this Sunday night. Beat writer Mark Cannizzaro points out some of the bad memories the Jets have had at the Meadowlands, memories that can be erased, he says, with a win over the Bengals in the regular-season finale, a win that would send the Jets into the playoffs.  Here’s what made Cannizzaro’s list:

The Dan Marino “fake spike” game in 1994.

Dennis Byrd’s neck injury in 1992.

The Rich Kotite era.

Vinny Testaverde rupturing his Achilles in the 1999 season opener.

Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler suffering season-ending injuries in the same game in 2005.

There are plenty more, as Cannizzarro points out, though he also recalls some happier times. The point is this: A Jets win over Cincinnati Sunday night, in the final game they will ever play at Giants Stadium, may go a long way toward erasing those bad memories.

Remember the last game of the 1993 season? Boomer Esiason does. And so do I 

The 8-7 Jets at the Houston Oilers. A Jets win and they make the playoffs. A loss and they go home. The Jets went home, and so did head coach Bruce Coslet, for good.

It was one of the most disappointing performances ever in franchise history. The Jets hope this Sunday night is a much different story.

Unbelievable!

A win Sunday night (yes, the game got moved to Sunday night) against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jets are in the playoffs. This after Gang Green lost twice to the Dolphins, once to the Jaguars and Bills at home, and fell to 4-6 after starting the season 3-0. The Dolphins, Jaguars, and Ravens all lost yesterday, and the Jets beat the Colts, 29-15, so now New York controls its own playoff destiny.

Thanks, Jim Caldwell, who pulled his starters with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Colts clinging to a 15-10 lead. Then, Calvin Pace sacked backup quarterback Curtis Painter, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Marques Douglas in the end zone to give the Jets the lead for good. This came almost 14 minutes after Brad Smith started the third quarter by running back a kickoff return 106 yards for a touchdown. Jay Feely added a fourth quarter field goal and Thomas Jones ran one in from one yard out to secure the win.

Jones carried 23 times for 105 yards, Mark Sanchez did not throw any interceptions, and Feely converted two field goals. Oh, and Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Joseph Addai didn’t see the field after they were pulled in the third quarter. What was Caldwell, and the organization, thinking? Hello, you play to win the game. And you would have won the game if Manning & Co. stayed in there. Instead, you were serenaded with boos and your perfect season came to an end.

From Jets’ fans, players, and the organization: Thanks, Indianapolis.

It is unclear how much Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell will play his starters today, as the 14-0 Colts host the 7-7 Jets. This is a must-win game for New York, and how much Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark play will go a long way in determining the Jets’ chances. Put it this way: The Colts are in another league. If Peyton & Co. play the entire game, or even for the majority of the game, New York has no shot.

So let’s assume they don’t go the whole way, but that they play deep enough into this game to give the Colts a shot at an undefeated season. It will be enough for another Indy victory, and enough to end the Jets’ chances of making the playoffs.

The Colts have won 23 straight regular-season games, only part of the reason they are favored by 5.5 points in this one. Manning is the big reason. He is once again the front-runner for league MVP. The Colts would not even be a .500 team without him, never mind 14-0.

Today, Manning will face the Jets’ top-ranked defense, and that means Darrelle Revis will be lining up on the other side. The Jets need to convert field goals, not turn the ball over, and establish the run. Notice how I just assume Revis will do his part.

Prediction: Colts 24, Jets 14.

Remember earlier this week when I asked what the worst part of Sunday’s loss was? Here again are your choices:

Three missed field goal attempts because of bad snaps, holds, or kicks?

Three Mark Sanchez interceptions?

Only 99 rushing yards, including just 52 on 19 carries from Thomas Jones?

The Jets’ defense coming up big all day except when it mattered most, as the Falcons scored with 1:38 to play to take the lead for good?

That brings me to the keys to the game for this Sunday when the Jets face the 14-0 Colts. If they have any chance, they must do the following:

Clean snaps, holds, and a 100% conversion rate on field goals (Everyone shares the blame for last week’s debacle). No interceptions by Mark Sanchez (Even one might be enough since he tends to throw picks at awful times). One hundred yards rushing by Thomas Jones (The Jets must establish the run). The defense won’t be able to hold down Peyton Manning, but if the Jets are lucky enough to be ahead late in the game, the defense finally has to make a big stop when it counts (It doesn’t feel right to knock the Jets’ defense).

Good luck, Jets.

Peyton Manning, the NFL's MVP

When the Jets travel to Indianapolis on Sunday, they will need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. New York will also face the NFL’s best player – Peyton Manning – who has led the Colts to a 14-0 record, and who is on track to win his fourth league MVP award. Take a look at these stats:

4,213 yards passing, 33 touchdown passes, and a quarterback rating of 101.2. Remarkable how great Manning is year in, year out. The easiest player in the NFL to root for.

And that brings me to the NFL’s second-best player, at least based on this year’s performance. Manning aside, Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis is next to lay claim to the MVP award. He’s been the best defensive player in the league this year, shutting down the likes of Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens, and Steve Smith. 49 tackles and six interceptions, and that only begins to tell the story.

Jets vs. Colts. Manning vs. Revis. Playoffs on the line. It should be fun Sunday in Indy.

With a little help from the Connecticut Post, the Jets tell us how they can make the playoffs, or at least think playoffs past this weekend:

First, they must beat the 14-0 Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis. This seems improbable, especially after the way the Jets lost Sunday. Peyton Manning is my choice for league MVP – followed by Darrelle Revis – and I would never bet against the Colts with Peyton under center.

The Jets must also hope Jacksonville (7-7) loses at New England (9-5), AND Miami (7-7) loses vs. Houston (7-7). Both could happen.

Plus, either of the following must occur:

Baltimore (8-6) loses at Pittsburgh (7-7), OR Denver (8-6) loses at Philadelphia (10-4). Both could happen, certainly one of the two could occur.

Wow, that loss to the Falcons hurt. At least we’re still talking playoffs.