Manning Ends the Dream for the Jets
It’s nice to dream about playing in the Super Bowl, but when Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are standing in your way that dream can turn into a nightmare. The New York Jets were living a Cinderella story in these playoffs. First, the Jets beat Bengals and then Chargers and were just one victory away from the Super Bowl. But then, Peyton Manning threw for 377-yards and three touchdowns, which in the end, proved to be too much for the New York Jets.
Credit to the New York Jets for getting this far in the playoffs. The N.Y. Jets were in control of this game in the first half, but then the Colts took the momentum after they scored a touchdown to take the 20-17 lead. The Indianapolis Colts would never look back and the Colts beat the Jets 30-17.
But, it is scary to think that this is just Mark Sanchez first year as a pro and he was just one win away to the Super Bowl. But, when a former Super Bowl MVP gets on fire, its hard to stop his team. And, unfortunately for the New York Jets, that’s what exactly happened. The New York Jets are going to be a tough team to deal with in the future, but it was not meant to be this year. As for the Indianapolis Colts, they are moving on the Super Bowl. Lets see how the Colts do against another hot team, the Saints.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Bengals kicked themselves out of the Playoffs and Jets Move On
When Cincinnati Bengals kicker, Shayne Graham, missed a late 28-yard field goal with 3:49 left in the game that basically ended the Bengals season. Down ten points, you need to make that field to give your team a chance to win, but it was not meant to be. The New York Jets beat the Bengals 24-14.
But, its was not just the kicking game that was the only issue for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals had a hard time dealing with the tough defense by the New York Jets and the Jets rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez. Mark Sanchez did not play like a rookie as he lead his team to victory. Sanchez threw for 182-yards and 1 touchdown. Also, the Jets defense put a lot of pressure on Bengals QB, Carson Palmer and sacked him 3 times. Chad Ochocinco was a non-factor for the Bengals. He was held in checked by Jets cornerback, Darrelle Revis.
In the end, the New York Jets just wanted it more and it showed on the field. Now, the New York Jets move on to the AFC Divisional round. And for the Cincinnati Bengals, they have to figure out what went wrong and get ready for next season.
NFL Week 1: Great Debuts and Some Things Never Change
Brett Favre is back. Minnesota Vikings new leader, Brett Favre, had an great debut for the Vikings. With the help of Adrian Peterson, who had 180-yards rushing and scored 3-touchdowns, the Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 34-20. Favre threw for 110-yards and one touchdown. Also, New York Jets new rookie QB, Mark Sanchez, was another player who had a impressive debut as well. Mark Sanchez through for 272-yards and had one touchdown to lead the Jets to a victory over the Houston Texans, 24-7.
One player that did not have a great debut was Chicago Bears QB, Jay Cutler. Even though the Bears had a chance to win the game, Jay Cutler’s 4-interceptions, including his last interception with 58-seconds left, would doomed the Bears and helped the Green Bay Packers get the victory, 21-15. And for the Detroit Lions, it was not a good day as well.
The Detroit Lions continued their regular-season losing streak to 18 games. The Lions lost to the New Orleans Saints, 45-27. Drew Brees looked awesome, throwing for 358-yards and 6 TDs. And for the Cincinnati Bengals, lady luck was not on their side. With 11 seconds left in the game, Denver Broncos wide-receiver, Brandon Stokley, caught a deflected pass and scored a 87-yard touchdown to help the Broncos beat the Bengals, 12-7 on an amazing and unbelievable play.
With great debuts from Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez, it was another great weekend of NFL football. But, for teams like the Lions, hopefully they can end their losing streak. But, only time will tell.
Raiders Should Have Learned from the Jets When it comes to the 2009 Draft
With the retirement of Brett Favre, the New York Jets needed a quarterback. Enter, USC’s quarterback, Mark Sanchez. The Jets filled a void at QB by drafting Sanchez and now, the Jets are looking at a bright future. But, for the Oakland Raiders, they should have drafted the best offensive lineman available to help protect their quarterbacks and help them run the ball. The Raiders did not do this.
Mark Sanchez comes from a long line of successful USC quarterbacks. Now, he is looking to bring that success to the New York Jets organization. For the Oakland Raiders, they need to draft players that will help them on both sides of the ball. The Raiders defense is good, but its their offense that needs help, mainly on the offensive-line.
Last year, the Oakland Raiders 1st draft pick was a running back, which they needed. But this year, the Raiders 1st draft pick was a wide-receiver, which they didn’t. It will take a couple of years to see which team got it right, but as it stand now, it seems the big winner is the New York Jets.