Best Jets Team Ever Tournament: Round 2, Game 1

It’s Sunday night, and the Best Jets Team Ever Tournament enters the second round. Coming off of a win against their 2010 counterparts, the 2009 Jets did battle against the number 1 seeded 1968 New York Jets. Joe Namath and his team were ready, to the game we go.

Midway through the first quarter, the Super Bowl champs opened the scoring. Set up by a 32 yard Emerson Boozer run, Jim Turner connected from 36 yards out to put the 1968 Jets up 3-0. Later in the quarter, a 45 yard Matt Snell run put the 1968 Jets in business deep in 2009 territory. 3 plays later, Joe Namath found Don Maynard in the endzone from 15 yards out to put the 1968 squad up 10-0.

A quiet second quarter, with only a Jay Feely field goal, brought the half to an end with the 1968 Jets leading the 2009 Jets 10-3.

Now in a suprising turn of events, the 2009 Jets took the game over in the third quarter in a big way. After the opening kickoff to start the half, the 2009 Jets moved a drive to the 1968 Jets 42 yard line. Mark Sanchez gave the rock to Shonn Greene on a draw, and Greene was gone, taking it the distance to tie the score at 10. On the ensuing drive, Matt Snell took a handoff from Joe Namath, but lost it on a fierce hit by Bart Scott, which Shaun Ellis fall on at their own 39, setting up the 2009 Jets again. 3 plays later, from the 45 of the 1968 Jets, Sanchez connected with Dustin Keller on a screen to the right, which Keller took the distance to give the 2009 Jets a 17-10 lead. 4 plays later, Matt Snell fumbled again in his own territory, and Darrelle Revis recovered at the 1968 Jets 41 to set his team up once again. 7 plays later, Mark Sanchez hit Jerricho Cotchery with a 22 yard TD pass to give 2009 a 2 score lead, 24-10.

Early in the 4th, Jay Feely connected from 47 yards out to give the 2009 Jets a commanding 27-10 lead. The 1968 Jets had a last chance just after the 2 minute warning. Joe Namath hit George Sauer in their own territory, and Sauer out ran the defense for a 69 yard TD pass. 27-17 in favor of the 2009 Jets. However, Shonn Greene fell on the onside kick attempt, and the upset was complete. 27-17 the 2009 Jets upset the 1968 Jets.

The player of the game in a losing effort was Joe Namath, who was 15-33 passing for 267 yards and 2 TDs. Matt Snell led all rushers with 137 yards on 16 carries. Thomas Jones added 104 yards on 22 carries.

So, Rex and his original squad move on to the finals. They will play the winner of next week’s game between the 1969 Jets and the 1998 Jets.