Post by Lithfan on Jan 6, 2016 6:33:10 GMT -5
January 6, 2002
January 6 is the latest that the NFL regular season has ever ended -- being delayed a week in the aftermath of the 9/11/01 terror attacks.
In 2002, the Jets were able to accomplish what they could not get done this past weekend -- go into a hostile environment needing a win to make the playoffs, and coming away with that win.
Like this past Sunday, the Jets struggled to move the ball consistently on offense all day and trailed in the 4th quarter. Unlike Sunday, special teams were a huge contributor with a blocked punt TD in the first half and a game winning 53 yard FG in the final minute. They were able to make just enough plays to escape with a W.
They had taken a 21-19 lead on Lamont Jordan’s 46-yard TD run with just under 11 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The Jets turned the ball over on their next two possessions. Marquez Pope intercepted a Vinny Testaverde pass intended for Santana Moss and returned it to the Jets 41, but the Jets dodged a bullet when the defense forced a 3 and out. After the Raiders punt, the JEts lost the ball again, this time it was a Curtis Martin fumble recovered by Roderick Coleman at the Raiders own 29.
Rich Gannon led them 51 yards on 10 plays -- helped out by 20 yards of Jet penalties. Brad Daluiso kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Raiders to give them the lead with just over 6 minutes left.
After the next Jets possession ended on consecutive QB sacks, the Jets defense held and gave Vinny & the Jets one last chance. They took over at their own 36 with 2:12 left on the clock. Trailing by 1. Vinny, who struggled on the day at 18-29-230 with 1 TD & 2 Ints, was able to do just enough to put the Jets in field goal range. He was 4 for 7 for 29 yards when the Jets drive stalled at the Raiders 36.
On came John Hall to attempt a game winning, playoff clinching 53 yard field goal. It was a chance for redemption for Hall who had missed two field goals including a 35 yarder with 9 seconds left in a 10-7 late season loss to the Lions in 2000.
“I’ve had a year to think about it,” Hall said. I use it as motivation, because it didn’t go the way I wanted. I knew it was straight, I just hoped it had enough distance.”
The snap was low, but holder Tom Tupa got the ball down, and Hall’s kick was true, splitting the uprights and barely clearing the crossbar to give the Jets a 24-22 win and a rematch with Oakland in the Wild Card playoffs the following week.
The win was the Jets 7th of the season away from home. “It looks like we are going to be on the road the rest of the way, so maybe that’s a good thing,” said Testaverde.
It wasn’t. The Jets lost the rematch 30-10.
Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune
January 6 is the latest that the NFL regular season has ever ended -- being delayed a week in the aftermath of the 9/11/01 terror attacks.
In 2002, the Jets were able to accomplish what they could not get done this past weekend -- go into a hostile environment needing a win to make the playoffs, and coming away with that win.
Like this past Sunday, the Jets struggled to move the ball consistently on offense all day and trailed in the 4th quarter. Unlike Sunday, special teams were a huge contributor with a blocked punt TD in the first half and a game winning 53 yard FG in the final minute. They were able to make just enough plays to escape with a W.
They had taken a 21-19 lead on Lamont Jordan’s 46-yard TD run with just under 11 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The Jets turned the ball over on their next two possessions. Marquez Pope intercepted a Vinny Testaverde pass intended for Santana Moss and returned it to the Jets 41, but the Jets dodged a bullet when the defense forced a 3 and out. After the Raiders punt, the JEts lost the ball again, this time it was a Curtis Martin fumble recovered by Roderick Coleman at the Raiders own 29.
Rich Gannon led them 51 yards on 10 plays -- helped out by 20 yards of Jet penalties. Brad Daluiso kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Raiders to give them the lead with just over 6 minutes left.
After the next Jets possession ended on consecutive QB sacks, the Jets defense held and gave Vinny & the Jets one last chance. They took over at their own 36 with 2:12 left on the clock. Trailing by 1. Vinny, who struggled on the day at 18-29-230 with 1 TD & 2 Ints, was able to do just enough to put the Jets in field goal range. He was 4 for 7 for 29 yards when the Jets drive stalled at the Raiders 36.
On came John Hall to attempt a game winning, playoff clinching 53 yard field goal. It was a chance for redemption for Hall who had missed two field goals including a 35 yarder with 9 seconds left in a 10-7 late season loss to the Lions in 2000.
“I’ve had a year to think about it,” Hall said. I use it as motivation, because it didn’t go the way I wanted. I knew it was straight, I just hoped it had enough distance.”
The snap was low, but holder Tom Tupa got the ball down, and Hall’s kick was true, splitting the uprights and barely clearing the crossbar to give the Jets a 24-22 win and a rematch with Oakland in the Wild Card playoffs the following week.
The win was the Jets 7th of the season away from home. “It looks like we are going to be on the road the rest of the way, so maybe that’s a good thing,” said Testaverde.
It wasn’t. The Jets lost the rematch 30-10.
Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune
