Dec 22 in Jet History: 2 Wild Card Clinching Wins

Dec 22 in Jet History: 2 Wild Card Clinching Wins Dec 22, 2015 8:11:25 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Lithfan on Dec 22, 2015 8:11:25 GMT -5

December 22, 1985

At 10-5, the Jets played host to the Cleveland Browns. The Jets needed a win to clinch a wild card playoff spot, while at 8-7 the Browns were still in contention for the AFC Central title.

After a loss to the Bears a week earlier, the Jets fell into a 3 way tie with the Patriots and the Broncos for the two AFC wild card spots. The Jets were in control of their own desitny, however, and knew that with a win against the Browns, they would clinch the first wild card spot and the opportunity to host a playoff game the following week.

The Jets took an early 3-0 lead, but quickly gave it up when Brian Brennan returned a Dave Jennings shanked punt 37 yards for a TD.

The Jets caught a break late in the first to retake the lead. Ken O’Brien overthrew his intended receiver, Kurt Sohn, on a deep ball. Browns DB Don Rogers was in position for an easy interception, but his arm was in a cast and the ball bounced off his cast and Sohn was able to grab it for a 39-yard TD reception.

Cleveland tied the game at 10, but before the end of the first half, the Jets, led by their defense, took control. Mark Gastineau stripped and sacked Cleveland’s Bernie Kosar. LB Bob Crable fell on the loose ball at the Browns 13. A few plays later, Johnny Hector carried it in from 5 yards out to give the Jets a lead they would not relinquish.

The second half was all Jets as they scored 20 unanswered points to coast to a 37-10 victory and a playoff spot. Both the Broncos and the Patriots also won their games that weekend, so all 3 teams finished at 11-5, with the Broncos ending up on the outside looking in for the playoffs. The Jets hosted the Pats in the wild card game the following week, a game won by NE, 26-14.

As for the Browns, despite the loss, they captured the Central Division title with an 8-8 record thanks to a Steelers loss to the Giants that dropped them to 7-9.

An 8 win team making the playoffs while three 11-win teams tie for two playoff spots and the Jets get in ahead of Denver. Lets hope history repeats itself this year.

Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune

Dec 22 in Jet History: 2 Wild Card Clinching Wins Dec 22, 2015 8:12:42 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Lithfan on Dec 22, 2015 8:12:42 GMT -5

December 22, 1991

6 years later, the Jets would get play in another “win and you’re in” game, this time against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were a game ahead of the Jets for the last wild card spot at 8-7, while the Jets had lost 3 straight to fall to 7-8. The Jets had defeated the Dolphins earlier in the season, so with a win, both teams would finish 8-8, but the Jets would get the spot with 2 head-to-head wins against Miami.

The game was tight throughout. It looked as if the Jets would carry a lead into the half, but with a 7-0 lead and 32 seconds left in the half, Cliff Odom picked of an O’Brien pass at the Jets 48. 3 plays later, Dan Marino hit Mark Clayton for 18 yards and a tie game at the half.

The second half became a battle of the Jets ground game against Marino and the Dolphins passing game. The Jets rushed for 231 yards, led by Johnny Hector’s 132 and two short TD runs by Brad Baxter. Marino was 27-45 for 281 yards and 2 TDs, but he also threw one costly 4th quarter interception.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/30/files/2015/04/IMG_8023.jpg

With the Jets clinging to a 1 point 14-13 lead, the Phins were driving until a Marino pass intended for Mark Duper was intercepted by Joe Kelly at his own 5 yard line. The Jets converted the pick to 3 points and a 17-13 lead with 3:42 remaining on the clock.

“I made a bad decision, that's all,” Marino said. “I should have thrown it away. I tried to get it by the guy to Duper but he made a good play.”

Marino and the Dolphins were not done yet. They drove 70 yards to the Jets one yard line and then on 4th and goal from the 1, with 48 seconds left, Marino hit TE Ferrell Edmunds for the TD and a 3 point lead.

O’Brien did not need much time to drive the Jets inside the Dolphins 30. He connected with Rob Moore for 23 yards and Terance Mathis for 14. A Freeman McNeil 7 yard run go the Jets to the 27 yard line where Raul Allegre connected on a 44 yard FG to force OT.

Miami got the ball first in OT, but the Jets defense forced a punt, giving O’Brien and the Jets the chance to win it. The Jets moved 65 yards in 11 plays, with Johnny Hector and Rob Moore making big plays to get the Jets in position. Midway through the overtime period, Raul Allegre nailed a 30 yard game winning, playoff clinching field goal. Not bad for a kicker in his first game with the team, having been signed a week earlier to replace the injured Pat Leahy.

http://www.trbimg.com/img-4e946565/turbine/sfl-dolphins-jets-8-20111011/1050/1050x591

Before the game, Mark Clayton had guaranteed a Dolphins win.

“I am glad I don’t have someone like Mark Clayton on my team to open his mouth,” said Jets CB Michael Brim.

DE Marvin Washington also commented on Clayton’s guarantee, “We’re going to be playing next week,” he said. “But Mark Clayton’s going to be home roasting chestnuts on an open fire.”

The Jets would fall to the Oilers 17-10 in the wild card playoffs the next week.

Source: The Victoria Advocate & The St. Petersburg Times