Jets fall short yet again in AFC Title Game

Steelers 24

Jets 19

For the second straight year the Jets are left pondering what could have been.

After watching the Pittsburgh Steelers run all over them for 24 unanswered points in the first half, the Jets tried valiantly to come from behind, but it was just not enough as Gang Green fell 24-19 in the AFC title game.

For a whole half the Jets slept-walked, and as a result it cost them dearly. At one point in the second quarter, the Steelers had out-gained the Jets 131-1 on the ground, and New York had the football for only 8:56 in the entire first half.

The tone was set early when Pittsburgh drove down the field on their opening drive of the first quarter, eating up nearly 10 minutes on the clock, as Rashard Mendenhall scored the go ahead touchdown.

Yet, the Jets had a chance. Mark Sanchez's 45 yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to cut the deficit to 24-10 early in the third quarter, gave the Jets a spark. The Jets got another safety on the Steelers sacking Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone, then Jerricho Cothery scored on a one yard out to cut the deficit to 24-19 with 3:06 to play, but it wasn't enough.

Instead of going for the on-side kick, the Jets kicked it right to Pittsburgh, and Roethlisberger made a couple of huge throws to Heath Miller and Antonio Brown to ice the game and send Pittsburgh to their third Super Bowl in six years.

Who was to blame for the loss?

Well, the offensive game plan in the first half was incredibly poor, but you can't take away from the fact that the Steelers looked more amped up and prepared for this game. That lies at the enitre coaching staff. The decision to eat up chunks of the clock in the fourth quarter with New York down 12, was also puzzling.

Same old Jets? No, don't say that. It isn't true. This is a very good football team. The Jets showed that they can be better than the Steelers in the second half, but they have to do a little more preparation, and have to play with a little more urgency early in the game to win it. Plus winning their home games, so the AFC title game is in New Jersey and not on the road would be a plus too.

Who knows if there will be football next year, and if there is, who knows if New York can get back here? They have the pieces, but they have to retain some key veterans, get some help at linebacker, defensive end, and safety, and hope that they can remain fairly healthy for the third straight season in 2011.