Kicking woes spell doom for the Jets

The “Big Tuna” welcomed his former team, the New England Patriots, to his new home with the New York Jets. Earlier in the season, Bill Parcells and the Jets came up short, 20-13, in his return to New England. This time, Parcells became very frustrated with his place kicker as John Hall went 2 of 5 in field goal attempts in a 17-13 loss.

On this Sunday, the Patriots and the Jets were battling for 1st place in the AFC East, and the game started out with fireworks. Jet QB Neal O’Donnell hit Wayne Chrebet with a 63-yard bomb for a TD. A few possessions later, Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe answered with a bomb of his own as he connected with Shawn Jefferson for an 80-yard TD. Later in the 1st quarter, Bledsoe hit Kieth Byars on a wheel-route for a 23-yard TD pass to give the Patriots a 14-7 lead.

After that, the game settled down and the defenses took over. Neil O’Donnell went out with an injury and Glenn Foley came in as his replacement. In the 4th quarter down 17-13, Foley led the Jets into scoring position twice; however, John Hall missed two field goals from 33 and 39 yards out, which potentially could have given the Jets the win.

Foley tried to rally the Jets late, but Teddy Bruschi sacked Foley on a 4th down to end the Jets’ attempt at a comeback.

The Patriots are now 6-1 on the season and lead the AFC East by 2 and a 1/2 games now over the Jets, who fell to 5-3. The Patriots will face the World Champion Packers next Monday Night, while the Jets get a much-needed bye.

1997 Game 99 Stats