Jets will be grounded
By Alfonzo Washington, Jr.
Here is an urgent update coming from air traffic control for the Steeler Nation.
WARNING: There will be no takeoffs this weekend. No, we’re not referencing Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), we’re talking about the big Ketchup Bottle (Heinz Field). The Steelers will ground the NY Jets on Sunday. Expect a lot of turbulence (the Steeler pass rush), rough landings (Sanchez on his behind) and multiple delayed flights (sacks & tackles for loss). The result will be many red eyes (on the crying Jets fans & players).
What happened to the mighty New York Jets? They have gone from #1 in most NFL Power Rankings, to a team in desperate need of a win. They’re coming off of back-to-back losses, and are struggling for their playoff lives. Rest assured the BLACK– N– GOLD will not offer a remedy for their ailments this weekend.
While many national sportswriters have been asking “What’s wrong with the mighty Jets?”, I’m asking a different question. My question is “What’s wrong with the sportswriters?”
The sportswriters and most “experts” propped the Jets up as a powerhouse team that was an early favorite to make it all the way to the Super Bowl. They were featured on the HBO series Hard Knocks, and all they seemed to talk about during the show was that the Jets were Super Bowl bound.
Everyone painted a picture of the Jets as a powerful F-15.
F-15 fighter jet
But when you actually break down the film, you’ll quickly realize that the Jets are an over-rated team. They’re not an F-15. They’re more like a crop duster.
The REAL New York Jets
So how did the Jets fool so many? How was it that just two weeks ago they were tied for the best record in the NFL?
Let’s take a look at how the Jets’ season has unfolded.
The Jets have benefited from multiple close call wins versus sub-par teams. These wins have made Gang Green look mightier than they really are.
Week 6: Jets 24 Broncos 20
Turning Point: A 46 yard pass interference call on 4th down allowed the Jets to setup a go ahead touchdown in the last 2 minutes.
Week 9: Jets 23 Lions 20 Overtime
Turning Point: Lion QB Matthew Stafford gets hurt with 9 minutes to go in the game allowing the Jets to overcome a 10 point deficit and win on a field goal in overtime.
Week 10: Jets 26 Browns 20 Overtime
Turning Point: In overtime, Browns WR Chansi Stuckey fumbles after a first down at the NYJ 36 yard line and within field goal range. This allows the Jets to win three possessions later with 24 seconds left on a 37 yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes.
Week 11: Jets 30 Texans 27
Turning Point: 24 seconds left in the game and the ball at the Houston 48 yard line (Jets with no timeouts left and down by 4). The Texans allow a 42 yard pass play down the sideline to Braylon Edwards to the Houston 6. This setup a 6 yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 6 seconds left.
The reality is that 4 critical plays saved the Jets
1) 4th down pass interference call versus Broncos
2) 4th quarter injury to Lions QB Stafford
3) Browns fumble in OT
4) Titans not defending the sideline with 24 seconds to go
Without these four plays the Jets are a team with a 5 – 8 record. We should not underestimate the Jets, but they are not a team to be feared as the media paints them.
As I stated earlier “The Steelers will ground the NY Jets on Sunday.” It will be proven that the Jets are who we thought they were.
The Jets aren’t up to the task of beating the Steelers. But if you have any crops that need to be dusted, I know just the team for the job.
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Good stuff Alfonzo! I enjoyed reading your article. You have a witty writing style.
1I’ll look for your future articles…..ya hit the nail on the head!
and the steelers are just a handful of plays away from being 7-6 probably. if the steelers win a close one we shouldn’t have, everyone says at least we are winning (hines ward included). They also say the mark of a good team is winning games like that.
If some other team wins games they shouldn’t have, they are over rated. That’s Interesting.
Without Polamalu the steelers probably lose the last two games….And we are without him for rest of regular season and maybe beyond.
2Tony,
Way to welcome a first-time author.
Actually, I guess I didn’t announce that we had a guest writer today on the blog. I announced it on the Facebook page, but not on the main blog. So you might not have noticed.
3no i didn’t, but now that i’m here i can serve as your guest writer….because i’m a guest….and i write, so there we go smiles
4no i didn’t notice. Sorry. He might as well get the same treatment I give you though huh?
I’ll say this: Well written and good spin.
5Al, Nicely Done !!!
6Game is over and I am PO-ed. We have lived with a sub-par offense for too long. Our fans and our media have given the Steelers a pass for too long. That game was lost by the Offense-period. Ben 22 of 43 sucks! Rex Grossman was 22 of 43 today and he had 4 TD’s!! The red zone sequence at the end of the game said it all! This is after Ben & BA had a ‘red zone conference’ this week…stud QB and omniscient Offensive coordinator and this is the result! Our RZ performance has been terrible for way too long. It is time that we stop feeling good about ourselves and our beloved Steelers and recognize what it is that we have— an under performing Offense made up of poor, un-imaginative play calling, & erratic execution. (For once I won’t bash the O-line because except for he egregious play by Scott on the safety, Ben had plenty of time.) Ladies & gentlemen, we need to raise the bar and it starts with what we accept!
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