When New York Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan decided to risk a fake punt on 4th-and-18 from his team’s own 20 yard-line during a scoreless game in the first quarter, he did so believing his defense was good enough to allow at worst, a field goal –- and that his offense would more than make up for that.

It turned out that Ryan was partially right, as the Jets’ defense kept the Green Bay Packers out of the end zone and limited them to just three points after the Jets failed to turn the fake into a first down.

But, the last thing that Ryan ever envisioned at that moment was that the field goal would be the game’s only points until past the halfway point of the fourth quarter.

It was just one of several mistakes that haunted the Jets (5-2) on a day when Gang Green’s offense was frighteningly ineffective, in a 9-0 horrow show of a loss to the Packers (5-3), who won their second straight game on a windy Halloween Sunday afternoon at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Ryan would make some other decisions later on that would also backfire, but the Jets were also done in by an inability to protect the ball and by a couple of calls that didn’t go their way, like the way you find in online sports betting.

First, there was the faked punt.

With neither offense getting much of anything going early, each team’s punters were the stars of the game, each averaging 50 yards or better in the first quarter, giving each opposing offense poor field position to start their drives in the period.

The one time that didn’t happen however, was when Jets’ punter Steve Weatherford, concluded the Jets’ third possession of the quarter with the aforementioned fake. Weatherford stepped out of bounds at the New York 36 yard-line, with the ball at the 36-and-a-half, about a yard-and-a-half short of the first down marker.

On the next play, Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings (6 catches, 81 yards) took a pass over the middle from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (15-34, 170 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 2 sacks, 59.7 rating), and turned it into a 30-yard gain to the Jets’ 6 yard-line.

At the time, no one in the building would have imagined that play would have already been enough to win the game, but in essence it was. The Jets’ defense held through three Packer cracks at a touchdown, but a 20-yard field goal by kicker Mason Crosby with 4:41 left in the first quarter, to give Green Bay a 3-0 lead, would stand up for the rest of the game.

Although the Jets, running 29 times, outgained the Packers 119-81 on the ground, they weren’t able to run quite effectively enough to open up a passing game that like Green Bay’s, was severely affected by the infamous Meadowlands wind which picked Sunday’s holiday to play tricks on both quarterbacks.

The Jets also held an advantage in passing yards (241-156), but aside from the fake punt, their other possessions ended in with five punts, three turnovers, a missed field goal, and two other times that they turned the ball over on downs.

Green Bay wasn’t much better, punting eight times and missing a field goal of their own, despite adding two more fourth-quarter field goals to ice the game.

With the offense struggling to score, the Jets, appropriately for the date, resorted to further trickery, but each time, it wouldn’t work.

Having moved from their own 30 yard-line to the Packers’ 36 yard-line after Green Bay’s first field goal, New York tried to run Brad Smith out of the wildcat offense, but Smith fumbled.

Ryan challenged the call, which was a good one, and Green Bay was correctly awarded possession, which would end in yet another punt, but one that pinned the Jets back at their own 10 yard-line.

It was one of five times on the day that Green Bay punter Tim Masthay, an undrafted rookie out of Kentucky, forced the Jets to start from inside their own 20 yard-line.

New York also began four other possessions between its own 20 and 27 yard-lines.

Later in the second quarter, one play after running back LaDanian Tomlinson (16 rushes for 54 yards) joined Walter Payton as the only two players to ever reach at least 13,000 rushing yards and 4,000 receiving yards in a career, Tomlinson looked to throw off an option run, but that bit of deception didn’t work either, as the Packers covered well and Tomlinson was tackled after only a modest gain.

A few plays later, wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (4 catches, 89 yards) appeared to have a reception at the Green Bay 41 yard-line on what looked like simultaneous possession with cornerback Tramon Williams, with the tie-up going to the offense, as Cotchery went to the ground with 4:48 left in the first half.

The play however, was initially ruled and interception. Ryan challenged the call, which was upheld, thereby leaving New York without a challenge for the remainder of the game.

That played a major factor later on, as a drive that started in the third quarter ended with another questionable Packer interception with 10:34 left in the game.

After going 61 yards on 7 plays only to miss a 37-yard field goal that would have tied the game in the third quarter, the Jets, starting at their own five yard-line on their ensuing possession, moved 48 yards on 10 plays to the Packers’ 37-yard line.

A holding penalty moved the ball back to the Green Bay 47 yard-line before Mark Sanchez (16-38, 256 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, 2 sacks, 43.3 rating) was intercepted by cornerback Charles Woodson, who ripped the ball from tight end Dustin Keller. Unlike Williams’ play on Cotchery, replays clearly showed the call was missed when Woodson was awarded with the pick and ruled down by contact. Keller should have been ruled down, with possession.

Ah, but remember those two challenges Ryan couldn’t get overturned in the first half? Well, no recourse for that play any longer and to bet on the NFL.

Green Bay turned that fortunate trick into a treat in the form of a 41-yard field goal by Crosby with 6:36 left in the game, to take a 6-0 lead, after going 34 yards on 8 plays.

The Jets then drove from their own 19 yard-line to the Packers’ 37 yard-line, but they turned the ball over on downs with 4:12 to go after Sanchez misfired on three straight passes.

Bothered by the wind, Sanchez accepted blame for his inaccuracy, saying, “Some passes got away from me… we left a lot of completions out there.”

Ryan then began using his time outs perhaps a little too soon, but the Jets couldn’t muster a meaningful drive the next time they had the ball anyway, again turning the ball over on downs at their own 22-yard line with 2:30 remaining.

That led to a 40-yard Crosby field goal with 27 seconds left, to close the scoring.

Although one turnover came on a questionable call and another happened due to a bad call, the three turnovers for the Jets sounded the continuation of an alarming recent trend for New York.

After four straight games without a turnover (to tie an NFL record), and committing just one turnover in their first five games, the Jets turned the ball over three times for the second straight game.

The time off last week might have also affected the Jets’ momentum. While Ryan said, “We were fresher and healthier then we’ve ever been,” the bye week from the week before seemed to slow down what had been one of the NFL’s hottest teams.

After losing their home opener, the Jets reeled off five straight wins before last week’s bye. Now, not only is that streak over, but the Jets have also relinquished their hold on first place in the AFC East to New England (6-1), which is now the league’s hottest team with its own five-game winning streak.

Suffering their first shutout loss since a 10-0 home defeat to Chicago on November 19, 2006, the Jets will look to get back on track against the Lions (2-5) in Detroit next Sunday, at 1pm EST.

In addition to NYSD, Jon Wagner contributes at Pro Football NYC (www.profootballnyc.com) and Giants Football Blog (www.giantsfootballblog.com)

When Rex Ryan boasted all summer about how his team would win the Super Bowl this season, the type of performance he saw from his team in the second half of the Jets’ game with the New England Patriots on Sunday was exactly what the New York Jets’ head coach envisioned.

After failing to back up Ryan’s words with a lackluster season opening effort in a loss to Baltimore last week, the Jets (1-1) turned it on after halftime on Sunday, outscoring the New England Patriots (1-1) 18-0 in the second half to rally for a solid 28-14 victory at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Unlike last week, the Jets took the conservative reigns off of quarterback Mark Sanchez, and it paid off, as Sanchez outdueled Patriots’ star quarterback Tom Brady, going 21 of 30 for 220 yards, and 3 touchdowns for a 124.3 quarterback rating.

Brady meanwhile, was 20 of 36, for 248 yards, and two touchdowns, but he threw two picks and lost a fumble on New England’s final drive.

That was just part of the havoc the Jets’ defense caused the Patriots, as that unit was able to step without star shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis, who left just before halftime after aggravating a hamstring injury he suffered in practice earlier in the week.

Sans Revis, the Jets’ defense took over the game in the second half, during which the Patriots committed all three of their turnovers, while gaining a total of just 14 yards and punting twice on their other two second-half possessions.

The Jets also played a lot more disciplined football than last week, when they lost one turnover and committed 14 penalties for 125 costly yards. Against New England, New York avoided any turnovers and cut the penalties down to just 6 for 58 yards.

It all added up to a much more successful formula, and a much-needed AFC East victory before the Jets travel to AFC East-leading Miami (2-0) next week.

The game didn’t start out that way for the Jets, however.

New England moved the ball well on its first two drives, while New York went three-and-out on its first possession.

The Patriots took the opening kickoff and went 53 yards in 13 plays, but kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 37-yard field goal. On their next drive though, the Patriots went 75 yards on 15 plays in 8:10, with Brady throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker, to give New England a 7-0 lead 1:43 into the second quarter.

The Jets then responded the next time they touched the ball, tying the game, 7-7, on a 12-play, 62-yard drive in 6:47, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass to the left side of the end zone to wide receiver Braylon Edwards (5 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD).

After the teams then traded punts, Brady needed just four plays and 48 seconds to get the Patriots back in the end zone. Brady threw a couple of incomplete passes, but then connected with rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez (who became the unlikely Patriots’ leader on the day with 101 receiving yards on 6 catches) for 46 yards to the Jets’ 34 yard-line. That set up a 34-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Randy Moss, who burned Revis before making a brilliant one-handed right-handed grab at the back of the end zone, to put New England ahead, 14-7, with 53 seconds left in the first half.

That was just enough time for Sanchez to direct the Jets with four completions in six attempts during a 7-play, 49-yard drive that culminated with a Nick Folk 49-yard field goal which trimmed the Patriots’ lead to 14-10 as the first half expired.

After that, the Jets took control of the game, especially holding the Patriots’ two biggest receiving threats –- Moss, and Welker — in check, with newcomer defensive backs Antonio Cromartie and Brodney Pool each grabbing second-half picks.

Moss’ touchdown (the 150th of his career) before halftime was his last reception and other than that catch, he caught only one other ball for a mere four yards. And, although Welker matched Hernandez’s 6 catches, the usual Jet killer finished with just the same 38 receiving yards that Moss had.

A frustrated Brady, put it very succinctly after the game, saying “We couldn’t do anything there in the second half… we couldn’t run it, we couldn’t throw it, we just sucked.”

In sharp contrast, the Jets, after a three-and-out to begin the second half, scored the game’s final 18 points on three of their next four possessions.

New York drove 80 yards on 10 plays in 4:47 to pull within 14-13 on a 36-yard field goal by Folk with 4:53 left in the third quarter. The key play on that drive was a 39-yard connection from Sanchez to tight end Dustin Keller, who led all receivers in catches (7) and receiving yards (115).

The Jets took the lead for good on their next possession, on a 6-play, 70-yard drive in 3:02 that was highlighted by a rushing game that outgained New England 136-52, led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who finished with a game-high 76 yards on 11 carries.

A good portion (31) of those yards came toward the end of that drive on a nice run up the right side which set up a two-yard touchdown toss from Sanchez to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Sanchez then completed to Edwards on a two-point conversion to put the Jets up 21-14, with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, New York put the game out of reach, capping an 8-play, 63-yard drive which took 4:59, on a 1-yard touchdown throw from Sanchez to Keller, to give the Jets a commanding 28-14 lead with 6:09 left in the game.

With the Patriots trying to rally, linebacker Jason Taylor sacked Brady on a first down from the New York 16 yard-line, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker David Harris (who had 4 tackles) with 4:06 left in the game.

The Jets were able to run out the clock on the ground from there, and take a lot of the pressure off of themselves that that Ryan’s unchecked swagger had placed on his team for months.

After all of the preseason Super Bowl talk, the prospect of playing in a media market like New York at 0-2, heading to first place Miami in Week 3 would have created a difficult situation for the Jets to handle and in which to succeed.

But, setting Sanchez free with Keller, Edwards, and Cotchery, and the contributions from newcomers like Cromartie, Pool, Tomlinson, and Taylor, were enough to at least for one game, have the Jets finally looking like the team Ryan told us his Jets would be this season.

For all of the bluster, arrogance, cockiness, brashness, and any of the other attributes that New York Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan demonstrates which can often rub many people the wrong way, Ryan is mostly and quite simply, just about the game of football.

So, when it came down to the Jets finally getting their best and most important player back on the field, it was Ryan, the ultimate players’ coach, who made it about football for star cornerback Darrelle Revis.

A very good thing not only for the Jets and for Jet fans, but specifically for Ryan, after his typical no holds barred attitude nearly prevented the Jets from having Revis back in time for the start of the 2010 regular season.

That’s because this is the year that the Jets, just 28 minutes from reaching the Super Bowl last year, entered their 2010 season with Super Bowl expectations knowing such prospects hinged on whether the defense-first Jets had the NFL’s best cornerback anchoring the strength of their team. In essence, the Jet’s chances for success this season were only as good the game’s best corner being their cornerstone.

However, it was Ryan who was partially to blame for Revis missing the entire preseason this summer because it was the Jets’ head coach who early on in Revis’ 36-day holdout, boastfully claimed that Revis was not only the best cornerback in the NFL, but that Revis’ 2009 season was the best year any cornerback ever had.

He wasn’t wrong (at least on that first one; the second is debatable). But, much like negotiating a car you love with a showroom salesperson, it would have been a lot wiser for Ryan to go against his own nature and keep quiet rather than extol Revis’ virtues. By choosing to do the opposite, Ryan helped to create a drawn out, five-week long saga in which he took much of the Jets’ negotiating leverage away and gave it to Revis’ agents.

Doing so had many Jet fans, as much as they love Ryan’s unorthodox approach, blaming Ryan’s big mouth for Revis’ M.I.A. status this summer. And, had Revis not come back until much later (or not at all this season), and had the Jets failed to make the playoffs without him, it’s not a stretch to say that Ryan would have gone from last year’s lovable leader who changed the Jets’ culture, to the city’s villain in a New York minute.

Without the return of Revis Island, Ryan might have found himself on his own figurative island, cast off by Jet fans everywhere.

But, Ryan more than made up for initially costing the Jets at the bargaining table, with a trip this past weekend, along with Jet’s owner Woody Johnson, to meet Revis in South Florida.

After all of the talk all summer long of Revis wanting to be the highest paid corner back in the league, in line with Oakland’s Nnamdi Asoumugha at $16 million per year, Revis spoke with his head coach and his long standoff with the Jets suddenly became more about Revis doing what he loves to do on the football field for the Jets, and less about money.

No longer was gap between the Jets offering a ten-year deal for $122 million and Revis’ camp seeking $160 million for the same length of time.

No, after talking to Ryan, Revis realized that he didn’t want to miss out on being the difference between his teammates being good — but not good enough without him — instead of the legitimate and perhaps feared Super Bowl contenders that Ryan believes they are.

In the end, Revis accepted less than the roughly $12 million per season that the Jets initially offered, taking $46 million for four years. And, with a potential NFL lockout looming for next season, the Jets’ best player got the security he sought, with the Jets guaranteeing $32 million.

It’s a relative bargain for the Jets when you consider the comparable four-year, $48 million contract with $30 million guaranteed signed last Wednesday by Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who while having developed into one of the best players at his position, isn’t quite the game changer that Revis is.

Would Revis have missed football enough to make winning and wanting to be back with his teammates the priorities over money?

Perhaps. But, the chances of Revis’ return increased exponentially with Ryan’s encouragement.

When asked by reporters if Ryan and Johnson visiting him the difference, Revis said “I have no clue, but they did. And, that was good thing.”

In a separate interview, Revis said “When [Ryan] came in, I was just excited. I was just like, I need to get back. Let’s get this done.”

Reading between the lines, it was Ryan specifically, who convinced Revis to get it done, even though he humbly gave all of the credit to Jets’ general manager Mike Tannenbaun and Revis’ agents for dotting the i’s an crossing the t’s.

As a result, everyone wins. Revis gets his security in the form of guaranteed money without missing any of the regular season. Ryan gets the player he desperately needed to make all of his great defensive schemes work. Jets’ management didn’t have to break the bank in terms of total dollars to re-sign that player. And, Jet fans are once again dreaming of a trip to the Super Bowl.

For five long weeks, Ryan’s initial comments were part of the problem. This weekend, the Jets’ outspoken coach guided the solution.

And, Jet fans can now forgive their head coach knowing that Ryan ultimately made it right.

It’s late August. A time of the year when panic sets in for teams who are not progressing in efficiency with the first unit through their preseason schedule.

Putting aside one’s belief on the importance of games that may get cut in half by 2012 if the NFL goes to an 18 game regualr season schedule, one element is certain. Stay healthy. For the Jets, with one game left before attention turns to Baltimore and the opener, the loss of Calvin Pace, the teams best pass rusher, puts an already compromised defense in another quandry.

Pace, whose outside blitzes from the hybrid position of OLB and DE has been one of the only sources of pressure without Rex Ryan calling on the secondary in blitz packages, injured his foot on Friday night vs Washington. What does this mean? Perhaps there will be a reuniting of Ryan and foprmer player LB Adelius Thomas, cut by the Pats this Summer. Thomas has expressed interest in joining the Jets and with Pace out for at least the first four games which include Tom Brady and the Dolphins with Brandon Marshall and a healthy Ronnie Brown returning form a season ending injury in 2009, the Jets can’t slip from the solid production that Pace brought: Reports today have painted the Jets as NOT interested until Thomas until after week one. If this is true, the Jets clearly want to see what Jason Taylor and Vernon Gholston can do prior to going outside of the organization.

The newly acquired Taylor appears out of shape and perhaps not ready for a majority of the snaps just yet. Even if Taylor gets his wind back, questions still remain as to whether he can he still wreak top flight havoc in enemy backfields at the age of 35. This brings us to third year Jet, the former 6th pick overall in 2008,Vernon Gholston. Gholston struggled his first two years but was shrewdly moved from LB to DE by defensive genius Ryan and the move has shown signs of serious life. Gholston has had a great camp. One that included solid play against Carolina and pressures on Skins QB Rex Grossman in the first half. Due to both the injury of Pace, and the durability and remaining ability left regarding Taylor, the emergence of Gholston has now gone from a project under development, to under the microscope, requiring immediate results.

A dangerous scenario awaits the Jets should quarterbacks have time to throw while receivers make moves without all world cover CB Revis on their tail. Pace, while not a prototype pass rusher, gave the Jets just enough last year to get by in that department. NG Kris Jenkins is back and his addition back on the line will undoubtedly help Jets ends receive less attention.

Nonetheless, the spotlight shines both on Taylor, given his terrific resume, and Gholston. Should Gholston continue to make plays as he has so far this Summer, the Jets may be able to survive the first quarter of a season that looks to be no easy task. With a tough schedule, a Jets offense under development, led by a second year quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and now the loss of Pace, the Jets all of a sudden need Gholston to emerge. Now. Many who make up Jets nation, for the first time, feel he may finally be ready to do so.

Follow TJ Rosenthal on twitter @thejetreport

Jets rookie head coach Rex Ryan admitted after his clubs shocking 17-14 win Over San Diego in the AFC Divisional round Sunday at QualComm stadium, that a rematch with the Colts for the rights to go to the Super Bowl, was not what most football fans wanted to see yet added “That’s too bad. Here we come.” As the moments passed shortly following the Jets 17-14 shocker over the AFC West champion Chargers, it was hard to believe that it was the 13-3 Chargers, NOT the 9-7 Jets who were going home. Eliminated. Finished. Packing up. Well, believe it. The Chargers, a team that averaged 28 points per game in 2009, could muster only seven against the Jets until the games waning minutes Sunday. The Jets, owners of the NFL’s number one defense once again seized the moment to record their second straight road playoff win and now look to cap off an improbable month long run with the biggest win of them all. A victory against the Colts that would ironically propel the Jets shockingly into the Super Bowl in Miami.

After all it was the Colts back in week 16 who infamously resuscitated the fading Jets by benching star QB Peyton Manning in the third quarter of a 15-10 game in which the Jets trailed. Throwing their undefeated season away in exchange for the assurance of the health of their key players for the post season, the Colts handed the reigns over to QB Curtis Painter who hand’t taken an NFL regular season snap in his career. The Jets then did what THEY had to do by stripping backup QB Curtis Painter and turning it into a TD and a 17-15 lead. What ensued from there was a 29-15 win that, coupled with the following weeks 37-0 shutout of the equally unmotivated AFC North champion Bengals, paved the way for a bizarre and controversial playoff berth.

Many questioned if the Jets even deserved to be in the playoffs. Most fans will tell you that the Colts would’ve easily held on to beat the Jets and then the Bills in week 17 to go 16-0, yet the truth is, we’ll never know how THAT would’ve turned out. Instead, the Jets and Colts will do it again next Sunday both with a chance at setting their own record straight. The Jets can prove all those who feel the Colts handed the Jets the game that day wrong, by beating the Colts at full strength. By beating the Jets, the Colts can quiet the detractors who disagree that resting starters after locking up the one seed is the best way to prepare for a Super Bowl run. For the Chargers, a great regular season has again led only to a difficult playoff loss and an offseason left wondering, “how” and “why.” The Bolts self examination begins today as players began cleaning out their lockers most likely in disbelief, after one of the more surprising Jet wins in franchise history.

The Chargers, the leagues top team twenty plus yard receptions, came into yesterday’s Divisional playoff game hoping to make good on the challenge of facing the NFL’s stingiest defense against the pass. (The Jets led the NFL in pass defense, giving up just 153 yards per game in 2009.)The first quarter saw the Bolts moving the ball reasonably well through the air as Chargers QB Phillip Rivers found Bolts top wideout Vincent Jackson (7-111 yards) for some nice twenty yard gains. TE Antonio Gates (8-93 yards), the future hall of famer who at 6′5, always presents a mismatch, was gaining position in the middle of the field, and slowly becoming Rivers’ security blanket. The Jets on the other hand, failed to manage a first down on their first four drives. The Chargers finally took the lead on a Rivers 13 yard TD pass to Kris Wilson. Rather than try to add tot he lead in the air, the Chargers strength, Chargers head coach Norv Turner instead tried to force the Charger run game, ranked 31st in the NFL, rushing at just 3.8 yards per carry, down the Jets throat. The plan failed as Jet defenders consistently kept Charger legend Ladanian Tomlinson (12-24 yards), who has been slowed by toe injuries the past two seasons, in check. By playing a game of field position the Chargers hoped to wait on a mistake by Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez (who threw 20 ints in 2009, but none in the past three games), as a way to go up two scores.

San Diego’s plan may have worked had it not been for the first of three missed FGs by AFC Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding (69 straight FGs form 40 yards in going into the game) from 36 yards out. Kaeding has a history of playoff misses vs the Jets. A rookie back in 2005, he had a key missed 40 yard FG against the Jets in the AFC Wildcard OT win. A 57 yard attempt by the AFC pro bowler fell short . With it, the Bolts ability to create distance and force the Jets out of the Ground and Pound in the second half. The score was 7-0 Chargers, a position Ryan admitted later made him feel good about the clubs chances in pulling off the major upset.

After a quality drive that followed Brad Smith’s return to the Jet 40 to start the third. Ryan called a timeout on a key fourth and one, midway through the 3rd, at the SD 29. Ryan then elected to change his mind and try for a long field goal, rather than the original plan to go for it. The extra time to decide payed off as K Jay Feely drilled the Jets onto the scoreboard 7-3. This left the Jets in the position to need one big play in order to take control. Enter S Jim Leonhard.

The hard nosed Wisconin Badger walk on, who forced, then seemingly recovered a first half fumble of WR Malcom Floyd in the Charger territory while falling helmetless, became the man of the moment for the Jets just after a Steve Weatherford punt left the Chargers inside their own five yard line. Leonard picked off Rivers who miss timed a Charger crossing route inside the Charger 25. After the play, a personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct on the uncharacterisically volatile Chargers left the Jets inside the Charger 10 to start the fourth. Penalties plagued the Bolts all day. Some were a result of stupidity, others frustration, others like three false starts by the Chargers offensive line, were a result of a disguising aggressive Jet pressure that kept Rivers off balance all day.

The Leonard pick became a 3rd and 2 in side the five on the second play of the fourth, Sanchez then looked to make up for a mistake made minutes earlier when he threw his first interception in 48 possesions. Trying to find the heavily guarded Braylon Edwards, the rookie’s ill timed throw left the Chargers inside the Jet 50 with a chance to widen a 7-3 lead. CB Darelle Revis, snubbed this week in favor Charles Woodson for NFL defensive player of the year, then helped the Jets weather that storm. “REvis Island” left Jackson stranded, with an incredible pick on a pass intended that hit the Chargers main deep threat’s foot as both players fell to the ground. This helped in keeping the ball alive long enough for Revis to snatch it while lying down.

Sanchez then made the key throw of the day as he play actioned then rolled out right. FB Tony Richardson, according to Sanchez, was the primary target but was covered. Second year TE Dustin Keller who was sandwiched in the back of the end zone by two Charger defenders, t instinctively burrowed away from the defenders right corner pile on. Just at that moment Sanchez read Keller’s mind and delivered a hard low strike that Keller grabbed for the go ahead TD. The Jets, now up 10-7, were in the drivers seat as the Charger crowd sat stunned, contemplating yet another once promising year headed for disaster. The 2006 Charger team led by then QB Drew Brees were an NFL best 14-2 yet got bounced by the Pats 24-21 at home. That AFC divisional round loss to what on paper appeared to be an undermanned New England club, essentially ended head coach Marty Schottenheimer’s tenure. Now suddenly down 10-7, Charger fans faced history rearing its ugly head again.

Where was that high powered air attack that helped lead the Chargers to scoring no less than 20 points a game in 2009? It was working to a degree in the first half. Not in the second half though, after Jet defenders pleaded with Ryan at halftime to give up on zone coverage. The Jets then went man to man and the switch worked. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said during the week that the Jet secondary welcomed the chance to use press coverage on the Chargers tall wideouts at the line. By getting physical at the line, the Jets began to disrupt the timing of many Charger pass routes. All the while snuffing out screen play attempts by the leagues top screen pass offense. Attemtps to hit big gains on these plays by utilizing big play speedster RB Darren Sproles were rebuffed as the Jet front seven reacted well all day to the Bolts offensive line’s covert and latent movements into the flat . The Jets were playing with the lead and a bruising ground game in their hip pocket, knowing they were less than 15 minutes away from a rematch with the Colts.

After the Jets got a stop on the ensuing drive, the Ground and Pound took over. Rookie Shonne Greene ( 128 yards) began to impose himself on a Chargers defense that started well but began to wear down. Then the Jets broke it open. Greene , who broke a 49 yard run for a TD in Cincinnati last week in the Wildcard round, found a seem yet again on the left side. Greene then busted through and turned it on through the Charger secondary for a 53 yard TD run and a 17-7 Jet lead with just 7:17 left. The third round rookie out of Iowa has become a big factor in the Jet offense in these playoffs with two back to back 100 yard games.

The Chargers came right back after returning a poorly executed Jet squib kick to the Jet 45. The Bolts drive died however at the Jet 23, then Kaeding then missed his third FG of the day a 40 yarder with 4:38 to play. The Jets played it safe and went three and out as the Bolts got it back with under 4:00 left. The Chargers then cut the Jet lead to 17-14 with 2:14 left. A one yard sneak by Rivers helped overcome another dumb 15 yard penalty by the Chargers ( Vincent Jackson was hit unsportsmanlike on the drive for kicking Ryan’s red challenge flag thrown by the Jet head coach in order to review whether a tight catch by Jackson at the Jet 20 was done with both feet in bounds).

With only one timeout and the two minute warning Charger Coach Norv Turner then chose to make the risky decision of an onsides kick. Turner decided on the onsides instead of kicking the ball away, which may have forced the Jets , who were surely going to run on every down, to punt it back on 4th down if they were short. This scenario would have left the Chargers enough time for a last minute drive for a long game tying FG. Instead the high bouncing onsides kick fell into the hands of the recently resurgent Jets safety Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes, who prior to the season, was thought by some to become Ryan’s next version of Ed Reed, overcame a benching in week 12 for poor play leading up to it, and has been a man on the scene for Gang Green since.

The recovery left the Jets in safe four down territory, one first down away from a trip to Indy. Then it happened, THAT fourth and one with just over a minute to play. Again, had the Jets been in their own end, they would’ve certainly punted. Instead, a nation of lip readers watched Ryan say “let’s go for it.” Timeout was called. The Jets offense, on the Charger 29, briefly rested up for the big play as they saw no need to punt where an accidental touchback would gain them only nine yards of field position.

Ryan was going to put his faith into the hands of the NFL’s number one rushing offense. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer then inserted sure handed power runner Thomas Jones for Greene. The 31 year old vet, one of the leagues top rushers in 2009, followed FB Tony Richardson into the heart of a Jet offensive line sporting two pro bowlers in C Nick Mangold and G Alan Faneca. This against a tired Charger run defense, ranked just 20th against the run. Jones busted it through, delivering the game clinching four yard plunge that gave the Jets a first down. The Chargers with no timeouts, could only watch helplessly. The play sent the Jets packing for Indy while sending the

13-3 Chargers packing.

None of the CBS pre game experts which included among others, former Super Bowl winning coach Bill Cowher, gave the Jets a chance in San Diego. Some of the Chargers themselves apparently didn’t believe it could be done either . LB Bart Scott said afterwards that Charger players were chirping during pre game warm ups how the Jets didn’t deserve to be here. This Scott said, added to fuel to the fire of a Jet team that has played with heart all season. A team that has overcome it’s own inconsistency to survive long enough to allow the chance to mesh together all three phases of the game. A team with a like minded sense of purpose of going all the way that has grown and grown bigger for over a month now.

Many felt the Jets had no right obtaining a gift from the Colts then the Bengals in order to sneak into the playoffs, yet regardless the Jets are now gaining steam. Serious steam. Sanchez has figured out how to manage this run heavy offense without getting in the way by throwing the game away. The defense continues to play with a chip on it’s shoulder, taking pride in shutting every offense they face, down. The Jets players completely believe in their loud brash made for New York rookie head coach who drawn a line in the sand by saying essentially “don’t believe those 50-1 odds, the Super Bowl favorite is right here in Green and White.” In the bigger picture the franchise known for the term “Same Old Jets” is quickly beginning to reshape this image of failure into a vision of a “New Jets,” thanks to the their fearless leader, the cocky anti-Jet, Rex Ryan. The “New Jets” are club that plays with fight in its heart, and a no quit mentality. It’s a team that is showing it can come through in the clutch moments of a big game, on the road as well..

The 17-14 stunner in San Diego, the Jets biggest win in over 41 years, sets the stage for a much anticipated rematch with the 14-2 Colts. Indy were 20-3 winners over the also run heavy defensive minded Ravens on Saturday at home, in their divisional playoff battle. Only Peyton Manning and the 14-2 Colts stand in the way of the Jets first Super Bowl appearance since 1969. It’s important for any team, in this case the Jets, to relish these opportunities. Being in position to stand just 60 minutes away from the Super Bowl doesn’t come around so easily adn often, despite how the Jets top AFC East rival the Patriots have made things look over the past decade. Even when additional chances DO arise, big regular seasons that can help lead to a club earning itself a playoff bye week never guarantees anything. Just ask the Chargers.

A look back at the three keys to the Chargers:

Make SD’s offense one dimensional:

We said “we’ll steal a page out of Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s press conference on Thursday. To make the Chargers one dimensional would do wonders for a defense that is already locked in on the Air attack.” Bingo. SD had just 57 yards between LT and Sproles.

Braylon, Come on!

We said ” If Edwards can relax like his rookie QB has learned to do this month, we may have the X factor of the game right here in #17.”Well, Edwards was 2 for 41 yards in a game where Sanchez had just 100 yards passing. Perhaps Edwards stretched the field enough for Greene who sealed it with the long TD. A real deal breakout game is what we asked for. If it happens in Indy for Edwards it could make the Jets Super.

Withstand the early onslaught.

We asked Gang Green to keep it close after SD throws the big first punch. “What the Jets cant afford is a few big plays and mistakes hitting them hard early. ” The Jets did exactly that, managing to trail just 7-0 despite not being able to obtain a first down for the first 4 drives. That was HUGE. The Chargers inability to put the Jets away in the first half before the Jets were able to adjust, may be the reason why they’re going home and Jets are moving on.

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When the red hot San Diego Chargers, whom many predict to be Super Bowl bound, take the field Sunday to face the surging NY Jets, the 13-3 AFC West champs will look to unleash a high octane air attack as good as any in the NFL. To earn a berth in the AFC Championship game, the Bolts will have to do it against the Jets, who own leagues top defense and running attack. A contrast in styles will be clear from the onset as Gang Green looks to create their own tempo by pounding the ball on the ground with the running back combo of Thomas Jones and star on the rise rookie Shonn Greene. The Chargers will  air it out. Owners of the league’s 31st rushing attack, the Bolts are the league’s best screen pass team, using it instead of run plays which make their bottom feeder running ranking deceiving. Something has to give when these two clash

in the AFC Divisional playoffs this weekend. The one left standing will be just sixty minutes from the Super Bowl.

The Jets, winners of 6 of their last 7, bring a new found swagger on Defense that comes when you  realize that you own the leagues’ top cover cornerback in Darrelle Revis. Forget the fact that voters chose Green Bay’s Charles Woodson as NFL defensive player of the year.  Revis has shut down every top wideout the Jets have faced. He has single handedly helped to shut down one side of the field for a defense that leads the league in pass yards given up with a mere 153.0 yards per game. Now the Chargers, who are number one in receptions for 20 plus yards, love to throw it downfield. If WR Vincent Jackson, QB Phillip Rivers’ top deep threat, falls victim to Revis Island and a pass rush that is gaining steam with the help of coach Rex Ryan’s blitz schemes, the Chargers will be forced to matriculate the ball downfield with other quality big sized receivers such as Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee. This will give the Jets  chance to settle into the game.

Besides Jackson , the Bolts other major weapon in the passing game is star TE Antonio Gates. Gates,  the former 6′5 division one basketball standout poses a mismatch for every opponent because of his size, ability to get open, run after the catch, and hold onto the ball. He’s the best in the business at the position.. Gates will be guarded at times by FS Kerry Rhodes, who held Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez down in week 15 for much of a game that many mistakenly felt, after the 10-7 Jet loss, had ended the Jets season. Gates is  not only a safety valve, he’s a tight end who can stretch the field. His eight TD’s were second among tight end’s only to the Colts Dallas Clark.

The Jet front four combined with Ryan’s blitz packages have to pressure Rivers into rushing those seven step drops that with the proper pass protection, turn into big gains more often than any other team has enjoyed in football. 67 completions have gone for twenty plus yards for the Chargers in 2009. The Chargers are fifth in the NFL in pass plays that have covered more than forty yards.

As for a running attack that averages under four yards a carry, the Bolts RB tandem of Ladanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles still present unique threats to the Jets. “LT” was the NFL’s premier back before a series of turf toe injuries began to slow him down a few years back. That ability to get to the second level of a defense and break it for big yardage, ala the Titans Chris Johnson,  is not there anymore. This season he’s rushed for just 730 yards at 3.3 yards per carry Not LT type numbers. However, he’s still a shifty red zone threat, having scored 12 TDs on the year. Darren Sproles is a Leon Washington type, who hides well behind his blockers before bursting for big gains. Sproles, like the injured WAshington, is a threat to score anytime he touches it.

If the Jets can prevent long plays on first and second down, and force Sproles and LT into modest gains, the Chargers will be left in third and long spots where some pressure combined with a press coverage that defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said that Jet cornerbacks were comfortable implementing (hint hint), could keep the Chargers from lighting up the scoreboard. The Jets have given up 20 plus points only four times in 2009 .The Chargers have scored 20 plus in EVERY game this year. Keeping the Chargers from running may be key in giving the Jets the ability to apply the heat on Rivers.

The Jets come into the contest now at 18-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. This down from the 50-1 odds they rolled into Cincinnati with. The spike in confidence coming out of Vegas is still light years away from coach Rex Ryan’s comment last week that the Jets ought to be favorites to win the whole thing. Whether Ryan’s boasts were to divert attention from his players, motivate them, or came out of a core belief that handing out an itinerary ending in a ticker tape parade could make it happen, one thing is for certain. These are not the “Same Old Jets”. Or the Jets many saw slump after starting out 3-0.

This Jets club NOW, is one where ball security , the primary reason for the club’s mid season struggles, is on the rise.  QB Mark Sanchez who threw 20 picks in 2009, has 0 int’s in the past 3 games.  RB Shonne Greene has as of late, eliminated fumbling issues that plagued him just as he was set to really take off weeks after Washington’s season ending injury out in Oakland.

Sanchez was flawless in Cincy throwing for a TD and coming up big on some key third down throws.  More importantly, the rookie provided much needed leadership in orchestrating the offense by maximizing it’s efficiency with a 12-15 day throwing. Greene rushed for 135 yards, fifteen yards short of Ryan’s predicition for him. This week Ryan has set his crystal ball sights on struggling WR Braylon Edwards. Edwards dropped his third long touchdown in the past five games last week. If the former Cleveland wideout can get back on track however, and turns into the big play killer that the Jets brought him here to be in October, the Jets may have an X factor who could change the story of Sunday’s battle.

The last time these two old AFL rivals met in the postseason back in 2005, Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s dad Marty,  was head coach of the Bolts. Rookie K Nate Kaeding’s last second 40 yard FG went wide right. This gave Jets K Doug Brien the chance to hit the 28 yard game winner with 5 seconds left in the first OT and allow the Jets a 20-17 win. For the Chargers, the gut wrenching first round loss after their 9-7 2005 campaign was followed by a 14-2 2006 season, earning them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Then Bill Belichick and Tom Brady came to town, as the Pats upset the Bolts 24-21.

This quick playoff exit for the elder Schottenheimer, the ninth of the snake bitten coach’s career, the second on three years in San Diego, paved the way for current coach Norv Turner. Turner seeks to do what Schottenheimer couldn’t do, and that’s return the Chargers to a second Super Bowl appearance. The first one coming in 1994,  which resulted in a 49-26 loss to the 49ers.

Rex Ryan became the Jets head coach off the heels of a 2008 collapse that saw Gang Green fall from 8-3 to 9-7. QB Brett Favre ended up in Minnesota, a place he wanted to land in from the start, after the Packers decided that Aaron Rodgers was their signal caller for the future and the present. Coach Eric Mangini was canned as well, not just because of the  club’s December slide but as a result of a secretive, uncharasmatic demeanor that owner Woody Johnson felt did not represent the personnel. Ryan certainly has been the polar opposite. Quotable, bombastic, even bordering at times on ridiculous, the son of former Super Bowl III Jets assistant and creator of Chicago’s 46 Defense in the mid 80’s Buddy Ryan, Rex has made the Jets believers in themselves. Trying to rid a franchise of it’s habits of self wallowing, and a penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a big job. One man can’t do it alone. Ryan has had help. However the rookie head coach and former Ravens defensive coordinator has created a culture of confidence and resiliency.

The Jets have had their share of struggles in 2009. Sanchez lost his way during the October swoon. The Atlanta loss  that prevented the Jets from being in the Wildcard drivers seat in week 15, was the third in which the number one defense in football couldn’t stop the opponent’s final drive. Nonetheless, the Jets perseverance coupled with a few late season breaks, have allowed the Jets to be where they are today. Headed to San Diego with a chance to get to the AFC championship for only the third time since the AFL NFL merger in 1970. For the first time since the Jets held a 10-0 lead in Denver back in 1999 before John Elway completed his own career ending quest for Super Bowl glory.

The Jets head into Sunday as eight point underdogs. Yet somehow you gotta know that Ryan is thriving in the role of  motivator  with a team that is listening to his “us against the world” locker room rants. The Jets themselves appear to be

relishing the role of proving the doubters wrong. Sunday in San Diego the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS get that chance once again. The stakes around here haven’t been higher in over a decade.

THREE KEYS TO THE CHARGERS:

Make SD’s offense one dimensional: We’ll steal a page out of Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s press conference on Thursday. To make the Chargers one dimensional would do wonders for a defense that is already locked in on the Air attack.

The Chargers CAN run despite what the stats will tell you. Yet if the Jets can keep LT and Sproles pinned down, the front seven can pin their ears back on third and long situations and look to create some plays of their own.

Braylon, Come on!! This week Rex Ryan predicted or was wishfully thinking out loud for a breakout day from the big play guy who can’t seem to catch the deep ball. He said sooner or later Edwards would put up three TD’s in a game. He then added “let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later.” There’s no time for feeling sorry for yourself if you’re Edwards right now. Sanchez’s confidence is growing. Schotty is calling deep shots that have had potential to work. It’s up to Edwards to get over his slump and get going. How about a few early short throws to him for some confidence? If Edwards can relax like his rookie QB has learned to do this month, we may have the X factor of the game right here in #17.

Withstand the early onslaught. What the Jets cant afford is a few big plays and mistakes hitting them hard early. They came back from a 7-0 deficit last week vs the Bengals and certainly could do the same out West. A 21-0 deficit caused by quick Rivers strikes and  a special teams gaffe, well that would create a hole to big to crawl out of. The ground and pound has room for growth from Sanchez and Edwards should he get going. A big early Chargers lead HAS to be avoided at all costs. Stay in the game. Let it develop. With each passing moment, a close game will become a winnable one for the Jets.

The Jets are riding this playoff push on a wing and a prayer.  The right wing of turbulent and resilient rookie QB Mark Sanchez. And the prayers and preaching of head coach Rex Ryan, who needs the blessings of the football Gods to do the improbable these playoffs.

Oh. Don’t forget the mouth of The Jets boisterous, blunt and vocal coach, who after sneaking into the playoffs at 9-7, declared his wild-card Jets should be favored to win it all. Despite the roller coaster season, the Jets seem to be gelling at the right time. And their prayers are being answered.

Jets owner Woody Johnson, though deeply saddened by the sudden death of his daughter, couldn’t be happier about the progression of his rookie coach and rookie QB.

Johnson made it clear he wanted to inject some energy, excitement, confidence into a Jets franchise that had become vanilla, pedestrian and evasive to the media under the emotionless Eric Mangini.

By hiring two novices to lead his organization, Johnson also hoped for some back page burn in the local newspapers. NFL coverage in NY has been a Giants-fest the past decade. He also needed to mask the ridiculously priced tickets and PSL’s with a new enthusiasm about a new Jets team, with new leadership and moving in a new direction. Up.

Thanks to Johnson’s two main off season imports — the great pontificator and rebel rouser Ryan, and swagalicious, pretty-boy Sanchez, who seems as built for Broadway as any Jets QB since Joe Namath — the Jets are the only team getting headlines right now. Sanchez is slowly quieting his naysayers and looking like a future stud.

The comparisons to Namath, which seemed premature during the season, don’t seem as farfetched now. And we know what Namath did for NY. He single-handedly helped make pro football in NY a huge deal, by brashly guaranteeing and then pulling off one of the greatest upsets in history, leading his underdog AFL Jets to a victory over what everyone felt was a superior and unbeatable Colts team, led by the greatest pure passer in NFL history, Johnny Unitas.

Sanchez already came packaged with the superstar looks and attitude. The dark hair. The height. The million dollar smile. The fearless play. His confidence and the way you can obviously see the team believes in him, contributes to his burgeoning reputation as well.

Sanchez and Ryan are equal factors in the Jets surprising playoff run. The similarities between the two are obvious, and each man’s legacy will largely depend on the success of the other. Sanchez has had an up and down season. So has Ryan. Sanchez was drafted after just one season as a starter at USC. Rex, the son of Buddy, a former NFL coach and great defensive coordinator credited with inventing the vaunted 46 defense, never had a head coaching job before the Jets made him top dog.

Both came out the shoot this season like gangbusters, going 3-0 and showing veteran –like savvy. That was the worst possible thing that could have happened to them. The fans got spoiled. Then the Jets predictably hit the rough patch of the schedule, losing three in a row, culminated by Sanchez throwing five picks in an OT loss to Buffalo.

At the same time, Ryan seemed to be losing his team, even breaking down and crying in a press conference. All of a sudden the magic they seemed to have was fizzling. The reality of having a rookie head coach and quarterback was settling in. Sanchez got an early and first-hand view of the pressure and finicky attitudes of NY sports followers. The fans and media began screaming for backup Kellen Clemens to save the season. Ryan even took a shot at Sanchez, blasting him in the media for not being smart and playing recklessly. The coaching staff lost faith in the rooks decision-making as the season and interceptions progressed, and cut half of his playbook Ryan, who rarely holds his tongue, went so far as to concede any chance at the playoffs after a disheartening 10-7 loss to Atlanta dropped the team under .500 [6-7].  I’m sure the absence of leading offensive weapon Leon Johnson didn’t exactly add to Ryan’s confidence that his team could turn it around.

But just as it seemed the first year of the Ryan-Sanchez experience would end with more question marks than answers, the Jets won their last three games and made the postseason. What was supposed to be a symbolic playoff appearance and a step in the right direction for a new Jets team, has become much more after upsetting the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card game.  Now the Jets are showing more similarities to that 1969 team, than the choke artists they had been the last two decades.

The Jets boast the league’s No. 1 defense and rushing attack. While they may have been able to get away with limiting Sanchez’s touches during the season, for the Jets to go deeper in these playoffs, Sanchez’s arm will be the key. Sanchez has the tools to throw downfield, avoid defenders and create big plays.

I always had confidence that given a chance Sanchez could reign in his mistakes and make positive contributions throwing the ball. The Jets are not going to beat teams like the Colts and Chargers just running the ball. Sanchez, as he did last week in Cincy will have to throw. Throw deep. Throw accurate. And hopefully throw his team into The AFC Championship Game and possibly even…should I say it?  The Jets first Super Bowl appearance in over 40 years. Most veteran observers of football give the Jets no shot. Ryan and Sanchez think they can go all the way. What do they know any way? They are just rookies, living on a wing and a prayer.

The “Sanchise” Mark Sanchez was mistake free.  RB Shonne Greene also played a major role for the NY Jets on Saturday, as they upset the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals in the “Jungle” 24-14. The two rookies helped lead the Jets into the second round  for a date with the 13-3 San Diego Chargers. Sanchez, (12-15 1TD), who had 20 interceptions on the year and looked shaky at times during 2009, was flawless in his decision making. Greene lived up to coach Rex Ryan’s pregame prediction of the 3rd pick having a big day by rushing for 135 yards and a big 39 yard score. The Jets came back from an early 7-0 deficit to slowly wear down the Bengals on both sides of the ball. Gang Green showed why it came into the contest both as the league’s number one rushing club and Defense. The win leaves the Jets now with the  Chargers, winners of eleven straight. They are high octane air power. The Jets philosophy is Ground and Pound, but growing. A contrast in styles .The winner will be 60 minutes away from the Super Bowl.

There are still those who think the NY Jets don’t belong with the elite that the NFL has to offer despite their Wildcard road win. Now the Jets will have their chance to prove those who felt the Jets were given a free pass into the playoffs.  Coach Rex Ryan, who has stated on more than one occassion that he doesn’t care how his team got in,  gave his players an itinerary whose culmination would take place at a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes. The rookie head coach was simply presenting the complete vision for a team that showed by their focused play in Cincy, that just making the playoffs is not the goal.

The Jets got down early on Saturday thanks to a big kick return by the Bengals Bernard Scott to start the game. The play left the Bengals on the Jet 35 where after a change of possesion that again gave them the ball to start inside the Jet 50. Former Jet Laverneus Coles later caught an 11 yard pass from Palmer to give the Bengals the early 7-0 lead.

The Jets would answer back thanks to a nifty play call by offensive coordintor Brian Schottenheimer. Schotty called for a conuter toss, a fake handoff right to FB Tony Richardson. The play instead was a pitch left to the big play Greene who found daylight behind 6 foot 7 310 pound 3rd year D’BRickshaw Ferguson.Ferguson sealed the edge as Greeene busted through to the second level of defenders. There were no defenders there however. Many of them bit on the run action to Richardson. Greene raced, then waltzed in for the tying score 7-7.

As the half wore on, it became clear that the Jet secondary was in complete control. Laverneus Coles, the former Jet, was the primary target for veteran QB Carson Palmer. With Chad Ochocinco being smothered on Revis Island, the Bengal pass attack was from the onset, containable. The former pass happy Bengal offense was now a run first offense. The club that lost Chris Henry to injury then to tragedy, had gone into the year having lost TJ Houshmanzadeh to free agency. Then Cincy’s two top  tight ends were lost for the season due to injury way back in the fall. Palmer’s accuracy was off all day. Throws were high, wobbly.Benson  had 169 yards on the day,  thanks to kicking some busted inside traps to the outside. As the gam ewore on could not do it alone.

This allowed the Jets to settle in after a shaky start made shakier due to Ryan finding out minutes before the coin flip that Punter Steve Weatherford would not be avaliable because of an irregular heartbeat. K Jay Feely took over and did a trmendous job filling in.

Sanchez then gave the Jets the lead, a lead they’d never relinquish. The TD came on a roll right. TE Dustin Keller (3-99yds 1 TD) dragged to the right afterlining up on the left side before the sanp. As Sanchez rolled, the QB’s first target underneath the linebackers was covered. Then Keller raised his hand, on the run, behind the linebackers, and away from a secondary that hadn’t seen him sneak free. Sanchez found Keller who caught the throw and raced towards the pilon. The second year TE fought off some would be Bengal defenders desperate to push him out of bounds, for the score and 14-7 Jet lead. Sanchez was sharp  with his limited chances all day. “He had the eye of the tiger today and he was ready to get out there and throw it around,” coach Rex Ryan said. “I see him getting better and better each day on the practice field. What a job he’s done. I think he’s tired of hearing he’s the weak link on this football team.”

The Jets had a chance in third to “break it open” with a twn point lead but two Jay Feely field goals were called back in a row, due to false starts. This forced the Jets out of field goal range as the furious Feely motioned to the sidelines for a punt.  The Jets got it back though and then went on an eight play 75 yard drive. The drive was capped off  by a  homas Jones (15-35 1TD) TD run from the 7 yard line to give the Jets a commanding 21-7 lead, late in the third quarter.

The Bengals would not exit without a fight. When Benson broke free for a long TD, it made the score 21-14 with over 11:00 remaining. Cedric Benson rushed for  169 yards on the day. He sat out the 37-0 Jet win the week before. Early on, Benson’s success had to have many wondering whether the strong start  was proof that the Bengals would be a different team in round two. Now however, with the Jets up seven, it was time to show the ability to close out a playoff game out on the road. As Ryan said during the week, one of his many brash quotes, this team was built for the playoffs. Well the Jets proved him right as the team marched down the field to tack on a huge Feely FG to make it 24-14. With 7:00 left the Jets got it back but played it safe. Real safe. Three runs and a short  punt gave the Bengals the ball close to the 50 with time to get a quick score and hope for the best.

Cincy drove into FG range but Shayne Graham, the dependable kicker that the Bengals even slapped a franchise tag on heading into 2009, missed his second chip shot of the day. Marivn Lewis later said that the missed FGs, especially the second, were crushing. The second, a 28 yarder, would have made it a one score game with 3:49 left. The Bengals had the two minute warning and all three timeouts still remaining. Instead the Jets again got it back and again chose to play it safe. Run, kill more clock, and punt. The Bengals got it back once more but by then it was hopeless. When Palmer was  finally sacked on fourth down by 10  year Jet veteran Sean Ellis, who has lived through his share of “Same Old Jets” disappointments, the celebration was on. The Jets, a team that few, including their coach, thought would even be here were moving on.

It was only a month ago that a horrifying 10-7 loss to Atlanta had seemingly closed the door on 2009. A loss that dropped the streaking Jets to 7-7 and left the dumbfounded  Ryan to mistakenly proclaim at the time “we’re out of the playoffs.” Well now the storyline has changed. Winners of six out of seven, the Jets are a red hot club whose confidence is growing behind the leadership of the outspoken Ryan, who continues to put positive world championship thoughts into the minds of his players. “This was a great team effort,” said Ryan, “We’re a good football team. If people don’t believe that, they soon will.”

Yes Network’s Mike Francesa had spoken earlier on Sunday about how fitting a rematch between the Jets and Colts would be in the following round. After all, it was the Colts who many feel rolled out the red carpet for the Jets to enter through into January. In week 16, the then undefeated Colts took out future hall of famer Peyton Manning and other key starters up just 15-10 late in the third quarter. The move was ordered by Colts brass to insure the safety of its stars for the postseason rather than chase the first perfect season since Miami did it in 1972. The move left many Colts fans and fans of other clubs in the AFC playoff hunt, disgusted afterwards. When Calvin Pace stripped backup QB Curtis Painter of the ball shortly after Manning exited, the road to the playoffs became a wide open possibility for the Jets. Miles away from the start of that day which had Jets playoff hopes sitting at a mathematical improbablility.

After the Baltimore Ravens layed it on the Pats on Sunday, in the second AFC Wildcard battle of the weekend (perhaps putting an end to New England’s decade long AFC East reign,) the Jets knew a date with the Colts and Peyton Manning would have to be put on ice, for now. The number two seeded Chargers and Phillip Rivers await the Jets instead. The AFC West champs can seemingly score at will, and now stand between the Jets and a date with the AFC Championship.

What a wild ride it’s been for the NY Jets in 2009. From 3-0 to 4-6 to 7-6 to needing to have prayers answered. Now the ride may be heating up  even more. This thanks to the Jets add more pieces to the puzzle on offense during this latest surge. Two weeks ago it was Brad Smith and the Wildcat in the big blowout win that sent the Jets into the playoffs.. This week it was Sanchez’s calm demeanor, coupled with Greene and Keller both busting out. Ryan boasted that the Jets will be a tough out for anyone right now. If the rookie QB out of USC can continue to grow his confidence and play mistake free while players like Greene become a bigger part of the equation, the Jets may truly be the tough out Rex was talking about.

WFAN”s Joe Beningo, a diehard Jet fan, says the Jets are now playing with “house money.” Even a loss couldn’t erase the fact that this year has been a successful step forward for a team led by many rookies including the coach. Beningo may be right but the Jets know that these chances don’t come often. In January it’s about seizing the moment. As hot as San Diego has been, and they’ve ebeen on fire, the Jets now find themselves hot as well. With the stakes higher than they’ve been for the Jets since 2005 when the Herm Edwards Jets beat the Chargers in OT in the Wildcard round ( only to fall dramatically to the Steelers in OT the following week). Once again, few will give the Jets a chance.  Others want more proof than just beating a sliding Bengals club, that the Jets truly belong in a class with the top teams in the league. One of those who believes the Jets CAN get it done now is Palmer. “They might have a chance to make a move, Their defense is that good.”

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A LOOK BACK ON THE THREE KEYS TO THE BENGALS:

EMOTIONS: The Jets had them. The Bengals were flat in the passing game so that had to take some wind out of their sails. Gang Green was not just happy to be there. They are thinking big and playing mistake free with fire. Like they have places to go, things to see.

STEP NOW ROOKIE , IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE: We said last week : “the Jets may in fact move it on the ground yet also need Sanchez to deliver some key third down throws…Here’s to hoping that Sanchez plays with that confidence he exuded  most notably Monday night in Miami, leading the Jets back twice in the second half. ” Mission accomplished. Sanchez porved to the Jet rport that he is a big game guy who can lead the Jets into the future. Limited throws yes, but playing cool, being in control, being a leader, count more than numbers. Nice job rookie.

X FACTORS:  We guessed wrong about Brad Smith and Kerry Rhodes. instead the X factors were the young trio of Sanchez, Greene and Keller. How about Feely stepping in and punting in a playoff game? A game ball goes to the kicker.