Post by Lithfan on Dec 25, 2015 8:23:45 GMT -5
December 25, 2006
First off -- a Merry Christmas to the Hampur. Hopefully everyone gets a chance to enjoy family, friends and the spirit of the holiday.
Speaking of Christmas, the Jets have played one game in their history on Christmas Day. It was 9 years ago tonight, A Monday NIght matachup against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets were 8-6 and in control of their own destiny in a battle for the two WIld Card spots with the Broncos and the Chiefs. Denver and KC had already won their week 16 games, so the Jets needed a win over a 6-8 Dolphin team to keep pace.
The Dolphins were installed as a 3-point favorite on a windy, rainy night in South Florida. The weather, and the two defenses, were dominant in this game, which remained scoreless through the first half.
"For us it was all about chipping away and waiting for our moment," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "This was a game with tough conditions. We faced a lot of adversity."
Disaster nearly struck for the Jets with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and the game still scoreless. Leon Washington muffed Donnie Jones punt at the Jets 40, but was able to cover it and the Jets took over in good field position. After a 15 yard Chad Pennington scramble and a 28 yard DPI penalty , the Jets were in field goal range. Mike Nugent nailed a 22 yarder and with 3 minutes left in the 3rd, there finally were points on the board as the Jets led 3-0.
But the Dolphins rallied behind QB Cleo Lemon who came on at the half to replace an ineffective Joey Harrington. This would be Lemon’s NFL debut, and after struggling on his first 3 possessions, managing just 1 first down, he finally got something going. He went 5 for 5 on a 7 play 73 yard drive and finished it with a 7-yard TD pass to former Georgia Bulldog Randy McMichael and the Phins had an early 4th quarter lead,
Chad Pennington and the Jets answered. Pennington struggled with the wind most of the evening, but he was able to connect with Jerricho Cotchery on a 32 yard scoring strike to cap off an 11 play 80-yard drive. Pennington finished competing just 14 passes out of 29 attempts for 237 yards and the one TD, but he did lead the Jets to points on each of their final three possessions.
The Jets would lose a possession after forcing a Miami three and out. Jones’ punt took a bad backward hop, hitting the arm of Jets special teamer Brad Kassel. John Denney recovered the muff for Miami and the Phins were in business at the Jets 42. The Dolphins got as far as the JEts 25, but with 4th and 1, Miami HC Nick Saban sent the FG unit on. Olindo Mare nailed the 42 yarder and we were tied with 2:09 left to play.
On the Jets first play from scrimmage following a touchback, Pennington threw a short pass in the flat to Leon Washington who broke loose for a 64-yard gain to the Miami 16. The Jets were able to bleed the clock since mIami had just one timeout left, and Nugent came on to kick a game winning field goal with 14 seconds left on the clock.
Tied with 2 minutes left. Big pass play to set up a last minute FG. 3 point win. Ugly game. Making plays late. In a fight for the wild card. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
First off -- a Merry Christmas to the Hampur. Hopefully everyone gets a chance to enjoy family, friends and the spirit of the holiday.
Speaking of Christmas, the Jets have played one game in their history on Christmas Day. It was 9 years ago tonight, A Monday NIght matachup against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets were 8-6 and in control of their own destiny in a battle for the two WIld Card spots with the Broncos and the Chiefs. Denver and KC had already won their week 16 games, so the Jets needed a win over a 6-8 Dolphin team to keep pace.
The Dolphins were installed as a 3-point favorite on a windy, rainy night in South Florida. The weather, and the two defenses, were dominant in this game, which remained scoreless through the first half.
"For us it was all about chipping away and waiting for our moment," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "This was a game with tough conditions. We faced a lot of adversity."
Disaster nearly struck for the Jets with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and the game still scoreless. Leon Washington muffed Donnie Jones punt at the Jets 40, but was able to cover it and the Jets took over in good field position. After a 15 yard Chad Pennington scramble and a 28 yard DPI penalty , the Jets were in field goal range. Mike Nugent nailed a 22 yarder and with 3 minutes left in the 3rd, there finally were points on the board as the Jets led 3-0.
But the Dolphins rallied behind QB Cleo Lemon who came on at the half to replace an ineffective Joey Harrington. This would be Lemon’s NFL debut, and after struggling on his first 3 possessions, managing just 1 first down, he finally got something going. He went 5 for 5 on a 7 play 73 yard drive and finished it with a 7-yard TD pass to former Georgia Bulldog Randy McMichael and the Phins had an early 4th quarter lead,
Chad Pennington and the Jets answered. Pennington struggled with the wind most of the evening, but he was able to connect with Jerricho Cotchery on a 32 yard scoring strike to cap off an 11 play 80-yard drive. Pennington finished competing just 14 passes out of 29 attempts for 237 yards and the one TD, but he did lead the Jets to points on each of their final three possessions.
The Jets would lose a possession after forcing a Miami three and out. Jones’ punt took a bad backward hop, hitting the arm of Jets special teamer Brad Kassel. John Denney recovered the muff for Miami and the Phins were in business at the Jets 42. The Dolphins got as far as the JEts 25, but with 4th and 1, Miami HC Nick Saban sent the FG unit on. Olindo Mare nailed the 42 yarder and we were tied with 2:09 left to play.
On the Jets first play from scrimmage following a touchback, Pennington threw a short pass in the flat to Leon Washington who broke loose for a 64-yard gain to the Miami 16. The Jets were able to bleed the clock since mIami had just one timeout left, and Nugent came on to kick a game winning field goal with 14 seconds left on the clock.
Tied with 2 minutes left. Big pass play to set up a last minute FG. 3 point win. Ugly game. Making plays late. In a fight for the wild card. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
