Jets stun the world, beat Steelers to end thoughts of collapse
It was the biggest game of their season.
With their backs to the wall after two straight divisional losses that cost them any hope of winning the AFC East, as well as the now infamous Sal Alosi tripping scandal, as well as people questioning the compentency of Mark Sanchez, the play-calling of Brian Schottenheimer, and speculation that Rex Ryan will eventually lose his team, the Jets had to get a win in Pittsburgh, PA, a place they have never won before.
And they got it done.
The Jets showed ture Gritt in their 22-17 victory over the Steelers.
It started 12 seconds into the game, when Brad Smith went 92 yards for the opening touchdown to give the Jets a stunning 7-0 lead.
For much of the day the Jets defense found a way to frustrate Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, putting just enough pressure on him, and forcing incompletions, as Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie did a decent job in coverage against Mike Wallace, and Heins Ward. In fact Wallace only had two catches in the first half.
With the game tied at 10 in the third quarter, the Steelers drove the ball down field on an impressive five minute drive that culminated in a two yard touchdown by Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall ran for over 100 yards, the first running back to do that to the Jets since Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars last season.
Still the Jets hung tough. Mark Sanchez led the Jets down to the Pittsburgh 7 yard line. Facing a crucial fourth and one, the Jets decided to go for it. Gang Green had not scored an offensive touchdown in 11 quarters up to this point.
Sanchez took the snap and faked the handoff to Shonn Greene. The Steelers bought it, and Sanchez rolled to his left and scored untouched to tie the game at 17.
After a Pittsburgh three and out, the Jets connected on a Nick Folk 34 yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead.
Late in the fourth quater, the Jets pinned the Steelers down at their own three yard line. On the first play, Mewelde Moore was grabbed and tackeld in the end zone by Jason Taylor for the saftey to give Gang Green a 22-17 lead.
But, Pittsburgh got one more shot.
On a huge thrid and 24, Roethlisberger hit Eric Sanders for 29 yards to mid field to move the chains with 52 seconds left. Roethlisberger then connected with Mike Wallace for 18 more to drive deeper into Jets territory. The Steelers got the ball to the Jets 10 yard line with nine seconds to go. All they needed was another sharp Roethlisberger throw and the Steelers would break the Jets hearts.
It never came. Roethlisberger threw two incompletions in the end zone as the clock expired giving the Jets the win.
Get your hands off the panic button Jets fans, the Jets looked poised for a playoff run.
NOTE: Coming into the game the Jets were 0-11 all time in the state of Pennsylvania., 0-7 vs. Pittsburgh and 0-4 vs. Philadelphia. Now they are 1-11.
Comments