For this week in Jets history I believe it’s time to talk turkey here. First and foremost, myself, Eli and Matt would like to take a moment to wish all of you NY Jets Fanatics a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. May your bellies be full and your football just as full of excitement.
When it comes to Thanksgiving and the Jets, there is one game that quickly comes to mind. I am going to let that game go for now so I do not ruin any of your appetites. Instead I will relive a memorable game played right here in East Rutherford not too long ago. It was November 25th 2010. The 8-2 Jets played host to what was the most dangerous 2-8 teams I have seen in the form of the Cincinnati Bengals. Riding a 7 game loosing streak, the Bengals had one of the better WR tandems at the time, with Carson Palmer behind center. Terrell Owens and Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson gave defenses fits.
This is where the importance of having solid cover corners in Rex Ryan’s scheme paid huge dividends. Carson Palmer was really unable to get into any sort of rhythm as Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie shut down 2 playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. After a scoreless first quarter, the Jets were able to muster a 27-yard FG off the foot of Nick Folk. Both defenses were shutting down their opponent and Carson Palmer got the ball with 3 minutes left in the half. He marched the Bengals right down the field using the hurry up offense and scored the game's first touchdown on a 5-yard pass to Jordan Shipley. The Bengals went into halftime with a 7-3 lead and the MetLife crowd seemed to be in a Turkey induced coma made up of stuffing and L-Tryptophan. If I may go off topic a moment, new studies show that L-Tryptophan is an amino acid and does not cause drowsiness.
As the 3rd quarter began, both the Jets and their fans needed a wake up call. And we got one. His name was Brad Smith. On the 2nd play from scrimmage in the 3rd quarter, Smith ran for a 53-yard touchdown on a reverse. That play gave the Jets a 10-7 lead. After the Defense forced a 3 and out, Mark Sanchez (yes) threw an interception to Ray Maualuga that was returned to the Jets 37 yard line. Even after the Bengals were aided by a roughing the passer call on James Ihedigbo, the defense held their own and the Bengals attempted a 27-yard field goal. The kick was wide left and I thought to myself that maybe our fortunes are changing around here. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Mark Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes on a 13-yard pass that gave the Jets a 17-7 lead. In the 4th quarter, the Bengals opened up with a 28-yard field goal to cut the Jets lead down to 7.
I watched as the Bengals lined up to kick off, the crowd was really quiet and it seemed that there wasn’t any wind. It was a still moment. That was until Brad Smith received the kickoff. I remember watching from my end zone seats as the #16 kept getting bigger and bigger as he ran down the sideline towards my end zone. My first thought was “Yo Vinny”, and then I remember thinking that this kid with 1 shoe is going to win this game for us. And that he did. Not only did Brad Smith take an 89 yarder to the house, but at least 50 yards were run with 1 shoe. Our D clamped down holding the Bengals scoreless the rest of the way and Trevor Pryce added a Safety for good measure. Rex Ryan and his NY Jets had served dessert up. How sweet it was being 9-2 and tied for the division lead in late November. So very sweet.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
