"Do You Believe in Miracles? Yes!" Jets Win a Stunner at the Meadowlands
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by Alanschech
Al Michaels quote comes into mind here as a stunning upset happened this afternoon at the Meadowlands. On a day where the great Curtis Martin was honored at halftime, the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7-2 came in to face the 1-8 Jets, and it ended with a 19-16 OT stunner.
The Jets came out quick early, a flea flicker , Kellen Clemens connecting with Laveranues Coles on a 56 yard pass, which set up the game's first score on a TD pass from Clemens to Chris Baker. A late Nugent field goal ran the score to 10-0 as the quarter ended.
In the second, the Steelers scored their only TD on a Santonio Holmes 7 yard TD pass from Big Ben. The Jets drove at the end of the half and Nugent put up another field goal with no time remaining making the score 13-7 at the half.
The second half saw 3 straight Jeff Reed field goals, the final one in the middle of the 4th quarter giving the Steelers their first lead of the game at 16-13. This was a good sign for the Jets, as they didn't fold, they led a drive that ended with a final Mike Nugent field goal with 23 seconds left to tie the score at 16-16, sending it to OT.
In the overtime, the Jets drew the first possession, but then went 3 and out, as did the Steelers on the ensuing punt. On the 3 and out by the Steelers, the Jets set themselves up to win the game when Leon Washington ran the punt back to the Steelers 26. 3 runs later, and another field goal the Jets had their first win in a long time, a 19-16 upset over the Steelers.
They did work one of the goals I mentioned early in the week as they used Thomas Jones early and often, running 30 times for 117 yards. The defense also stepped it up as they were harrassing Big Ben all day, recording 7 sacks, one INT and a fumble recovery. Kellen Clemens did not have a sparkling game going 14-31 for 162 yards , 1 TD and 1 INT, but his shining moment was taking ball with 2:23 left in the game on their own 14, and leading them for the tying field goal going 5-9 for 58 yards and one big scramble for 15 yards. He showed poise and control. We will see Thursday if they can build on this and make the turkey go down a little easier for us Jets fans.
