NY Jets: Team stays alive with big win over Patriots

The NY Jets control their destiny now thanks to a big win over the New England Patriots.

TheJets kept their playoffs alive with another nail biting extravaganza on Sunday, beating their divisional rival 26-20. In what was likely the most anticipated game of the year for Jet fans, they got it done finally in overtime. The victory coupled with a Pittsburgh Steelers defeat, puts the Jets in control of their own destiny. A win against the Buffalo Bills next week and the Jets will be in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

This victory wasn’t certain at any point in the game until Eric Decker came down with a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass in the end zone for the winning touchdown. This was a hard fought battle from beginning to end, and it needed to be decided on the first drive of overtime. The Patriots won the coin toss and Bill Belichick oddly chose to take the ball out of Tom Brady‘s hands, and deferred the ball to Fitzpatrick and the Jets to open overtime. It proved an ill advised call as Fitzpatrick took the Jets on a five play, eighty yard touchdown drive to seal the Patriots’ fate.

The Jets led this one most of the way, scoring first on a Randy Bullock 30 yard field goal. The Jets’ offense came out a bit shaky, but they settled down and played a very good football game. After being tied by the Patriots in the second quarter, the Jets went on to score fourteen unanswered points. Fitzpatrick threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall to put the Jets up 10-3 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Fitzpatrick once again found Marshall for the touchdown, this time it was a thirty three yard variety. The score stood at 17-3 and this game appeared to be well in the Jets hands.

Fans at MetLife Stadium and at home were supercharged for a Jet dominating win, but it wasn’t going to be that easy. Brady orchestrated two third quarter drives in the third quarter, and the Patriots put up ten points of their own. Brady’s first drive was good for eight plays and 54 yards before stalling. Stephen Gostkowski kicked a forty four yard field goal to bring the score to 17-6. Unfortunately for the Jets, Fitzpatrick was stripped of the football on the ensuing drive and Jamie Collins snatched up the football to score an easy defensive touchdown for the Pats, and putting them right back in it. It was 17-13 in favor of the Jets as the fourth quarter began.

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates his game winning touchdown pass from New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) (not shown) during overtime at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

In the fourth quarter, the Jets added another Bullock field goal to put the Jets up by seven points. Of course, the Patriots were not done yet and Brady led his team for a late fourth quarter touchdown drive. The drive was good for 11 plays, and went 66 yards. The game was tied at 20- 20, and Jet fans everywhere were on the edge of their seats! The Jets’ pursuing drive, with a chance to win the game, ended in a beautiful Ryan Quigley punt that left the Pats nothing left to do, but take a knee and send the game into overtime.

The Jets then pulled out the victory in overtime, and a beaten Brady could be found on the bench looking at his foot wear. It was a game of the ages for Jet fans. A game that is likely to be remembered by many for years to come. It was one for the Jet records book as well, as Marshall set the Jet record for receptions in a season. The duo of Decker and Marshall also set an NFL record with both catching touchdowns in eight separate games in a season. The previous was set in 1998 by Chris Carter and Randy Moss.

More jets: What were the Patriots thinking?

The Jets are now 10-5, topping many analysts predictions for the season, including my own. To their credit, they hung tough and pulled out a victory when they needed it most. The finale to the 2015 season is up next with the Jets taking on the Buffalo Bills. The Jets can’t let up, they’ll need that victory to get to the postseason. They go into the Bills game on a roll, but they’ll need to stay focused, any drop off could send them home. Rex Ryan will likely have his team fired up to play spoiler, but the Jets have the talent to get it done. It should be a good one!

I’ll have more coverage on the Patriots game this week. Until then, I’d ask you to leave us a comment and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!