NY Jets: Patriots give belated Christmas gift to Gang Green

The NY Jets pulled off the unexpected and beat the New England Patriots in overtime by a score of 26-20. It was truly the best belated Christmas gift any fan of the Jets could have asked for.

The Jets, before their victory, had no control of their playoff destiny. With the remaining schedules for teams such as the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, it was ruled highly doubtful that the Jets could even make a push for the playoffs with the New England Patriots coming into town.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, arguably had one of his most solid games as a Jet Sunday afternoon, completing 26 of 41 passes for 296-yards and three touchdowns. Every player on that roster played their absolute hearts out, Quincy Enunwa was a key factor in the game, recording a 48-yard gain on a short pass which led to the game sealing touchdown by Fitzpatrick.

Brandon Marshall had eight receptions for 115-yards and two touchdowns. Fellow wide out Eric Decker didn’t have as huge of a performance as he normally does but he came up clutch with the game winning touchdown in overtime to not only keep the Jets playoff hopes alive for another week, but prolonging the Patriots possibility of sealing home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Personally, I’ve heard “The Jets are done, they have no chance of beating the Patriots this week” from co-workers, friends and even from NFL analysts ruling against the Jets not only for their Week 16 match-up, but ruling against them for the playoffs as well. It wasn’t until the coin toss in overtime that the entire atmosphere took a left turn for the Patriots and a right turn for Gang Green.

The Jets and Patriots captains take their rightful places at midfield for the coin toss, the Patriots choose heads, the referee flips the coin and announces the Patriots have won the toss. Matthew Slater said the work “Kick” once I heard him say kick, my eyes along with the Jets eyes lit up. Antonio Cromartie, with a confused look on his face, as all the Jets had, chose the obvious choice to receive the ball first.

Slater had a few words with the referee after the coin toss, but never the less, whether it was a mistake or the Patriots really did want to differ, the Jets led a masterful drive which led to a red zone touchdown to Decker to seal the deal in MetLife Stadium.

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick argues a call with an official during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Whether you’re a rookie or a vet, everyone makes mistakes, this mistake just so happened to be one of the best belated Christmas presents yet to fans of the Jets. Gang Green beat their division rival 26-20 in overtime and now control their destiny in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

With the Steelers loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon, the Jets now control their own ticket to the playoffs. “Just win baby” is the motto the Jets must live by next week against the Bills at Orchard Park.

More jets: Mental mistake helps Jets control destiny

It’s the Jets vs Rex round two next Sunday. Will the Bills play spoiler and crush the playoff hopes of the Jets or will Gotham dethrone their ex head coach once and for all?

Well find out next week during the Battle of the Ex II.