Post by Lithfan on Oct 3, 2015 7:35:59 GMT -5
October 3, 1999
It may have been a rematch of a Championship Game played less than 9 months earlier, but this Jets v Broncos rematch was no longer two championship caliber teams. Gone from the Jets was Pro Bowl QB, Vinny Testaverde who had torn his Achilles tendon 3 weeks earlier. Gone from the Broncos was their Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway who had retired after winning his second Super Bowl in January. And before the 1st quarter ended, the Broncos would also lose the reigning MVP, RB Terrell Davis.
The Jets came into their week 4 game against Denver at 0-3 led by QB Rick Mirer, who had not won a game as a starter since the 1996 season. The Broncos had Brian Griese in his second year out of Michigan, but only his first as a starter. Griese was looking for his first win as an NFL QB. The Broncos also came into this one at 0-3. From a Championship Game to a matchup of winless teams in less than 9 months.
The game plan for the Broncos seemed to be to ride their All Pro running back Terrell Davis (out of Georgia). Go Dawgs, beat Bama!!!! Sorry, had to get that in, back on topic.
Davis carried on 8 of the Broncos first 12 plays from scrimmage, but it was a big pass play that set up a quick Bronco score. After receiving the opening kickoff, with a 3rd and 5 at their own 25, Griese hit Rod Smith for a 71 yard gain down to the Jets 4 yard line. The Jets defense stiffened and Denver had to settle for a 26-yard Jason Elam FG.
After Denver took the early lead, Mirer led the Jets on a 3 play 76 yard scoring drive, connecting first with Dedric Ward for 50 yards, and after Curtis Martin was stopped for no gain at the Den 26, Mirer hit Keyshawn Johnson for the TD. Denver also responded in just 3 plays. Chris Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards back to the Jets 31. On 2nd down, a Griese pass to Shannon Sharpe set up the Broncos at the 1 where Davis would take it in and Denver retook the lead, 10-7.
On their next offensive possession, disaster struck the Broncos. A Griese pass was picked off by Victor Green, who returned it to the Bronco 18. The Broncos forced a 3 & out and John Hall missed a short field goal, but on the interception, Terrell Davis was trying to chase down Green when his knee gave out and he went down with a non-contact injury.
“When it happened, they said there was some looseness in his knee,” said Bronco coach Mike Shanahan. “We’re going to keep our fingers crossed that its not an ACL.”
Unfortunately, it was a torn ACL/MCL and Davis, the reigning NFL MVP, missed the remainder of the 1999 season. The injury effectively ended what appeared to be a certain Hall of Fame career. He returned and saw action in the 2000 & 2001 seasons, but would be limited by continuing knee injuries and retire during the 2002 preseason. In his 4 full seasons, TD rushed for 6,413 yards -- only Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson have ever had more yardage through 4 seasons than Davis.
Getting back to the game action, things seemed to quiet down after an eventful first quarter. Derek Loville replaced Davis, but the Broncos had trouble getting any offense going, managing just a 51 yard Elam with 0:23 seconds left in the half. WIthout Davis in the running game, the Broncos were forced to rely on Griese’s arm, which did not work out well. Griese threw 5 interceptions and lost a fumble. 4 of the turnovers came the 4th quarter as the Jets and helped the Jets regain the lead.
Mirer led the Jets on an 80-yard TD drive early in the 4th quarter, assisted greatly by the Broncos -- who were flagged 3 times and gave the Jets 47 yards in penalties. Curtis Martin covered the last 2 for a TD and a 14-13 Jets lead. After an Aaron Glenn interception gave the Jets the ball back the Denver 30, Mirer hit Dedric Ward for 16 yards and a TD to give the Jets an ugly 21-13 victory over the defending champs.
“It wasn’t artistic or anything,” said Jets coach Bill Parcells. “We got some turnovers in the second half and we were able to take advantage of a couple of them.”
Source: The New York Post and The Item (SC), Oct 4, 1999.
It may have been a rematch of a Championship Game played less than 9 months earlier, but this Jets v Broncos rematch was no longer two championship caliber teams. Gone from the Jets was Pro Bowl QB, Vinny Testaverde who had torn his Achilles tendon 3 weeks earlier. Gone from the Broncos was their Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway who had retired after winning his second Super Bowl in January. And before the 1st quarter ended, the Broncos would also lose the reigning MVP, RB Terrell Davis.
The Jets came into their week 4 game against Denver at 0-3 led by QB Rick Mirer, who had not won a game as a starter since the 1996 season. The Broncos had Brian Griese in his second year out of Michigan, but only his first as a starter. Griese was looking for his first win as an NFL QB. The Broncos also came into this one at 0-3. From a Championship Game to a matchup of winless teams in less than 9 months.
The game plan for the Broncos seemed to be to ride their All Pro running back Terrell Davis (out of Georgia). Go Dawgs, beat Bama!!!! Sorry, had to get that in, back on topic.
Davis carried on 8 of the Broncos first 12 plays from scrimmage, but it was a big pass play that set up a quick Bronco score. After receiving the opening kickoff, with a 3rd and 5 at their own 25, Griese hit Rod Smith for a 71 yard gain down to the Jets 4 yard line. The Jets defense stiffened and Denver had to settle for a 26-yard Jason Elam FG.
After Denver took the early lead, Mirer led the Jets on a 3 play 76 yard scoring drive, connecting first with Dedric Ward for 50 yards, and after Curtis Martin was stopped for no gain at the Den 26, Mirer hit Keyshawn Johnson for the TD. Denver also responded in just 3 plays. Chris Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards back to the Jets 31. On 2nd down, a Griese pass to Shannon Sharpe set up the Broncos at the 1 where Davis would take it in and Denver retook the lead, 10-7.
On their next offensive possession, disaster struck the Broncos. A Griese pass was picked off by Victor Green, who returned it to the Bronco 18. The Broncos forced a 3 & out and John Hall missed a short field goal, but on the interception, Terrell Davis was trying to chase down Green when his knee gave out and he went down with a non-contact injury.
“When it happened, they said there was some looseness in his knee,” said Bronco coach Mike Shanahan. “We’re going to keep our fingers crossed that its not an ACL.”
Unfortunately, it was a torn ACL/MCL and Davis, the reigning NFL MVP, missed the remainder of the 1999 season. The injury effectively ended what appeared to be a certain Hall of Fame career. He returned and saw action in the 2000 & 2001 seasons, but would be limited by continuing knee injuries and retire during the 2002 preseason. In his 4 full seasons, TD rushed for 6,413 yards -- only Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson have ever had more yardage through 4 seasons than Davis.
Getting back to the game action, things seemed to quiet down after an eventful first quarter. Derek Loville replaced Davis, but the Broncos had trouble getting any offense going, managing just a 51 yard Elam with 0:23 seconds left in the half. WIthout Davis in the running game, the Broncos were forced to rely on Griese’s arm, which did not work out well. Griese threw 5 interceptions and lost a fumble. 4 of the turnovers came the 4th quarter as the Jets and helped the Jets regain the lead.
Mirer led the Jets on an 80-yard TD drive early in the 4th quarter, assisted greatly by the Broncos -- who were flagged 3 times and gave the Jets 47 yards in penalties. Curtis Martin covered the last 2 for a TD and a 14-13 Jets lead. After an Aaron Glenn interception gave the Jets the ball back the Denver 30, Mirer hit Dedric Ward for 16 yards and a TD to give the Jets an ugly 21-13 victory over the defending champs.
“It wasn’t artistic or anything,” said Jets coach Bill Parcells. “We got some turnovers in the second half and we were able to take advantage of a couple of them.”
Source: The New York Post and The Item (SC), Oct 4, 1999.
