Santa Loves The New York Jets

[Black Star Sports]

Christmas came late - The Jets are in the playoffs! And for all those New York Jets’ fans who suffered from heart palpitation, indigestion, and anxiety this season – redemption comes in a big package.

It couldn’t have come more neatly package than a dominating 37-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, a team who had lost three of their last four games, and the team that the Jets will face next Saturday in the playoffs.

But this was a different Jets’ team that stepped unto the frigid tundra and bitter wind of the Meadowlands.

This was a team that saw their true potential by operating and executing efficiently in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

The momentum was set early in the opening drive, when quarterback Mark Sanchez connected with wide receiver, Jerricho Cotchery for the first down. Then the Jets ran the ball twice, setting the stage for Brad Smith and the Wildcat offense.

“The hard work is starting to pay off,” said Smith, who ran for 57 yards to the one-yard line, a career high. “We ran it and did it every once in a while and had some success with it, but I think the guys up front have really committed to it."

The Jets went on to score a touch down on a one-yard run by running back Thomas Jones.

“Obviously, this is a huge win for us and it was a total team effort,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an offense really control the ball the way ours did in that first quarter into the wind. It’s easy to play defense when you run the ball like that, but I don’t want to slight our defensive effort because it was outstanding.”
The zero stapled at the end of the game under the Bengals’ moniker is no fluke. The Jets’ defense is rated number one in the league, as well as their running game. But the question mark is their rookie quarterback, Sanchez, who finished the game 8-for16 for 63 yards.

We had an early completion, stayed ahead of the sticks, and Brad Smith busted a huge run, and Thomas Jones punched it in.  That’s been our game,” said a jubilant Sanchez. “ We’re going to need something similar to that next week to play well on their field.”

He did not throw an interception. And the Jets held the ball for 24:50 in the first half and ran 46 plays for 250 yards.

“We’re very dangerous - I said it and I still believe - You have to be able to run the football this time of year, and you have to be able to play defense, and we can do that better than any team in the League,” said Ryan.  “That gives us a chance in every game, no matter who we play.”

On any given Sunday.