Jets get back into playoff contention!
The New York Jets corralled the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Giants Stadium with a 32-17 victory to get themselves back into AFC playoff contention as they fight for a Wildcard position.
The Jets got a huge performance from their defense. They shut down the Colt rushing attack and held them to 56 yards on the ground. Then the Jets harassed QB Jim Harbaugh all day long. They sacked him three times on the day. (They actually sacked him 7 times, but the sack/int rating took away four sacks).
The Colts made a game of it late in the 4th quarter. Harbaugh hit WR Sean Dawkins for a 2-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 25-17 with 7:15 to play. Then the Jets went on a long drive that seemed to ice the game away. Kicker John Hall set up for a 37-yard field goal to put the game away, but the snapper sailed the ball over the kicker’s head and went out of bounds 32 yards back, and the Colts got the ball at the +48-yard line with a minute to play.
Harbaugh quickly moved the Colts into scoring position. On a third down and goal from the Jets’ 7-yard line, Harbaugh tried to force a ball into Marvin Harrison. Jet’s DB Otis Smith stepped in front and took it to the house sealing the game with a 100-yard INT return! Smith closed the door and the Jets won 32-17.
Jet’s running back Adrian Murrell had another outstanding day. He carried the ball 27 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. O’Donnell still hasn’t thrown an interception yet this year in 387 passing attempts. He was 11 of 28 in the game for 150 yards and a touchdown to Keeshawn Johnson.
The Jets and the Seahawks are tied (9-5) for the final spot in the AFC Wildcard race; however, the Jets have a one-game lead in conference record, so if the season ended today, the Jets would get the final spot. They’ll have to play great football in their final two games to keep that spot as they host the Buccaneers next weekend and then close out the season at Silverdome in Detroit.
The Colts (4-9) have now lost five in a row and will take on the Dolphins at the RCA Dome. Then they will end the season on the road against the Vikings.
You are doing an awesome job with this replay and Gang Green in particular. I enjoy following along.
MZ
Thanks Mark. Much appreciated.
Reading this is a great start to the day.