Sept 20 in Jet History: Vinny Takes Over as Jets Crush Colts
Sept 20, 2015 7:41:51 GMT -5
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 20, 2015 7:41:51 GMT -5
September 20, 1998
Week 3 of the 1998 season, the Jets played host to the Indianapolis Colts. The season had gotten off to a disappointing start. Following an OT loss in San Francisco week 1, the Jets fell 24-10 at home to the Baltimore Ravens in week 2. Starting QB, Glenn Foley suffered a rib injury in the Raven game, so the Jets came into that week 3 game with an 0-2 record. With Foley out, they were forced to start their back-up QB, 34-year old journeyman, Vinny Testaverde.
The Jets would get off to a fast start, and score early and often in this one. After the Colts, and rookie QB Peyton Manning were forced to punt on their first possession, Testaverde hit RB Leon Johnson with a screen pass. A great block by Todd Burger would spring Johnson who went 82 yards for the score and an early 7-0 Jets lead. It was the first of 4 TD passes from Vinny on the day. Leon Johnson scored 3 TDs on his own as the Jets went on to rout the Colts 44-6.
Vinny connected with Kyle Brady in the 2nd quarter for a 1 yard toss to cap off a 9 play 58 yard drive. The drive was set up by Aaron Glenn’s late 1st quarter interception of a Manning pass intended for Marvin Harrison. Curtis Martin accounted for 37 yards on 4 carries on that drive. He would finish with 144 yards on 23 carries.
The Jets would score two more times in the second quarter, an 11 yard TD pass to Wayne Chrebet, and Leon Johnson went 16 yards for his 2nd TD late in the 2nd quarter. Jet fans got an early glimpse of what Peyton Manning could do as he led a 2 minute drill that was capped by Mike Vanderjagt’s 43 yard field goal. The Jets led 27-3 at the half.
Vinny threw his 4th TD pass on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, this time connecting with Keyshawn Johnson for 11 yards. He finished the day 12-22 for 203 yards and 4 TDs with 1 interception. The Jets went over 300 yards on the ground for only the 2nd time in franchise history (they have since gone over 300 yards two more times). It was the first time since 1988 that the Jets had over 500 yards of offense.
Testaverde was quick to credit his teammates for his big day, “"A couple of them were just gimmes," he said. "A 3-yard screen to Leon and he breaks free. Another to Kyle Brady at the goal line and another to Keyshawn (Johnson) when he makes a great move to break free. The main thing is I helped this team win when it needed to win a game."
As for Leon Johnson, it was a career game, "Three touchdowns in one game is amazing for me," Johnson said. "I'm happy to go out there and produce and show that I can get the team started."
Glenn Foley would return a few weeks later after his ribs healed. He was pulled from his next start against the Rams after starting 5-15 with two interceptions. Testaverde would relieve Foley with the Jets trailing 23-3 in the 3rd quarter. He would remain the Jets #1 QB the rest of the season. The Jets finished that season at 12-4. 0-3 in the 3 games started by Foley and 11-1 when Vinny got the starting nod.
Young gun goes down and the journeyman veteran leads the team to a Division Title. Could history repeat itself?
Week 3 of the 1998 season, the Jets played host to the Indianapolis Colts. The season had gotten off to a disappointing start. Following an OT loss in San Francisco week 1, the Jets fell 24-10 at home to the Baltimore Ravens in week 2. Starting QB, Glenn Foley suffered a rib injury in the Raven game, so the Jets came into that week 3 game with an 0-2 record. With Foley out, they were forced to start their back-up QB, 34-year old journeyman, Vinny Testaverde.
The Jets would get off to a fast start, and score early and often in this one. After the Colts, and rookie QB Peyton Manning were forced to punt on their first possession, Testaverde hit RB Leon Johnson with a screen pass. A great block by Todd Burger would spring Johnson who went 82 yards for the score and an early 7-0 Jets lead. It was the first of 4 TD passes from Vinny on the day. Leon Johnson scored 3 TDs on his own as the Jets went on to rout the Colts 44-6.
Vinny connected with Kyle Brady in the 2nd quarter for a 1 yard toss to cap off a 9 play 58 yard drive. The drive was set up by Aaron Glenn’s late 1st quarter interception of a Manning pass intended for Marvin Harrison. Curtis Martin accounted for 37 yards on 4 carries on that drive. He would finish with 144 yards on 23 carries.
The Jets would score two more times in the second quarter, an 11 yard TD pass to Wayne Chrebet, and Leon Johnson went 16 yards for his 2nd TD late in the 2nd quarter. Jet fans got an early glimpse of what Peyton Manning could do as he led a 2 minute drill that was capped by Mike Vanderjagt’s 43 yard field goal. The Jets led 27-3 at the half.
Vinny threw his 4th TD pass on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, this time connecting with Keyshawn Johnson for 11 yards. He finished the day 12-22 for 203 yards and 4 TDs with 1 interception. The Jets went over 300 yards on the ground for only the 2nd time in franchise history (they have since gone over 300 yards two more times). It was the first time since 1988 that the Jets had over 500 yards of offense.
Testaverde was quick to credit his teammates for his big day, “"A couple of them were just gimmes," he said. "A 3-yard screen to Leon and he breaks free. Another to Kyle Brady at the goal line and another to Keyshawn (Johnson) when he makes a great move to break free. The main thing is I helped this team win when it needed to win a game."
As for Leon Johnson, it was a career game, "Three touchdowns in one game is amazing for me," Johnson said. "I'm happy to go out there and produce and show that I can get the team started."
Glenn Foley would return a few weeks later after his ribs healed. He was pulled from his next start against the Rams after starting 5-15 with two interceptions. Testaverde would relieve Foley with the Jets trailing 23-3 in the 3rd quarter. He would remain the Jets #1 QB the rest of the season. The Jets finished that season at 12-4. 0-3 in the 3 games started by Foley and 11-1 when Vinny got the starting nod.
Young gun goes down and the journeyman veteran leads the team to a Division Title. Could history repeat itself?
