NY Jets: Top takeaways from their big win over Big Blue

In Week 13 of the NFL the NY Jets (7-5) put a quality win on the resume with an overtime victory over the NY Giants (5-7).

The Jets may have been the early favorites, but the Jets haven’t beaten the Giants since the early 90’s. Not only did they end that streak, but they made it one step closer to the NFL Playoffs. There are so many takeaways from the game, but the biggest one is the fact that the Jets are 7-5.

BALL GAME! #NYJvsNYG pic.twitter.com/VfwVBBADMY

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 6, 2015

How sweet it is. In a situation where the Buffalo Bills beat the Houston Texans and the Jets won, they’ve furthered their odds of making the post-season. That wasn’t the only thing that happened, let’s take a look at some of the takeaways from this momentous win via the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

“The Jets claim their first regular season victory against the Giants since a 10-6 win (10/31/93). The victory also marks the second time the two teams have met in overtime. The first was a 26-20 win (11/10/74) at the Yale Bowl. The Jets last overtime contest was a 30-24 loss at MIN (12/7/14). The last time the Jets won in overtime was a 30-27 victory against NE (10/20/13). The last road overtime win was a 23-20 victory at MIA (9/23/12).”

The Jets have had their ups and downs with overtimes in the past, but being down 10 entering the 4th quarter, things didn’t look good. Until of course the tandem of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker proved to be too much for the Giants’ defensive secondary.

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a game-tying touchdown against New York Giants corner back Prince Amukamara (20) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“Brandon Marshall (12-131) and Eric Decker (8-101) are the first tandem in Jets history to have each surpass 100 receiving yards in a road win since Al Toon (9-195) and Wesley Walker (6-161) against SEA (11/2/86). Their 18 combined touchdowns are the most since Keyshawn Johnson (10) and Wayne Chrebet (eight) totaled 18 in 1998.

Marshall, who caught 12 of his 13 targets to top 100 yards, surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the eighth time in his last nine seasons on a 25-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter. He became the first Jets since Jerricho Cotchery (2007) to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season, while also becoming the first player in NFL history to hit 1,000+ yards with four different teams. Marshall’s 10^th touchdown reception for the season came on a game-tying nine-yard catch, which tied the score with :32 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.”

I wrote an article a couple weeks ago with Jets fans coming to the realization that the streak was inevitably going to come to an end this season: NY Jets: Brandon Marshall is 247 yards away from history. Now that has been realized and Decker is well on his way to being the second Jets’ receiver to conquer that streak.

When breaking down this match-up I really liked the mismatch the Jets’ wide receivers had against the Giants’ secondary and that is a key factor as to why the Jets ended up with this much needed win. It’s easy to forget who is throwing around the pigskin to these all-star wide receivers, but Ryan Fitzpatrick deserves his share of the victory as well.

“QB Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team to an overtime win with touchdown passes to Bilal Powell and Brandon Marshall, finishing the game with 36-of-50 passing (72 percent) for 390 yards and no interceptions. The 390 yards was his highest amount since he threw for 402 as a member of TEN against ARZ (12/15/13) and stand as the 15^th highest single-game total in Jets history, eighth-most in a win and the most in road win since Ken O’Brien finished with 431 yards against SEA (11/2/86). “

Fitzpatrick is quietly having one of the best passing season in franchise history, sad I know, but let’s stick to the positive side. Again, another turnover free game from their starting quarterback and the Jets win, coincidence? I think not. It seems a facial trimming was all this offense needed to pick it up.

On the other side, the Jets’ defense had its fair share of highlight reel slip-ups in the Odell Beckham Jr. department, but when the going got tough, the defense got tougher. They made plays in the critical moments of the game and helped turn around the Jets deficit and perhaps the season.

“DE Leonard Williams logged the first full sack of his career went he brought down Eli Manning for a four-yard loss.”

“DE Mike Catapano notched his first sack as a Jet, and the second of his career before departing the game with a foot injury”

“DL Muhammad Wilkerson continues to lead the team, recording his ninth sack of the season and his fourth in the last four games, his second such stretch this season.”

“On fourth-and-two at their three, S Rontez Miles notched the first interception of his career, picking off a QB Eli Manning pass intended for WR Rueben Randle, returning it for 11 yards to end an 11:20 NYG drive without any points.”

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back Rontez Miles (45) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The usual suspects: Wilkerson sacking the quarterback, Williams continuing his dominance, and wait a second, Catapano? …Miles? Yes. When the Giants were up 10 in the 4th quarter, they went for it on 4th down in an attempt to go up 3 scores to put the Jets away, Miles had other plans. Stepping in front of an ill-advised throw by Manning which resulted in a turnover and giving the Jets new life.

Next: Jets must keep offense going to make NFL Playoffs

Miles has been surviving on the Jets’ practice squad over the last several years and when he got cut after the final 53, assuredly a lot of fans were upset. But eventually injuries opened up doors and Miles took advantage with his playing time and recording his first career interception is another feather in his cap. He has proven time and time again, that he is worthy of an NFL roster spot.

The Jets should consider themselves lucky he wasn’t picked up by anyone else when they transitioned him back to the practice squad after releasing him. Though movie scripts never usually make it into the real world, it’s nice to see a happy ending every once in a while. I guess nice guys do finish last after all. Ending the weekend on a Jets win isn’t a bad finish either.