The Jets soundly defeated the Cincinnati Bengals to start the playoffs. Cincinnati started with great Special Teams play but failed to capitalize. Shayne Graham missed two high percentage field goals and put sputtering Carson Palmer in unwinnable situations. Cedric Benson had an outstanding game, taking 21 carries for 169 yards. I don’t understand why the Bengals stuck with Benson the entire game.
This game spoke volumes for the opponents of resting players down the stretch. Cincinnati’s offense wasn’t fresh at all. Palmer missed receivers high and was bad enough that he was booed in Cincinnati. The Jets came off a big win over Cincinnati and took it to them again. Mark Sanchez did everything he needed to do to give the Jets the win.
Bill Leavy and his flag-happy crew gave Cincinnati a chance and then later took Cincinnati’s chances away. I couldn’t help thinking back to the article I wrote last fall about the problems with officiating today.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Chad soon-to-be-Johnson was playing hurt and keeping it quiet to free up other Wide Receivers. Then again, Bengals Wide Receivers have been stretched thin by injuries.
Shayne Graham, the waste of Cincinnati’s franchise tag, will not be getting that much sleep tonight. On the other hand, TJ Houshmandzadeh is on the brink of being a part of a Pete Carroll offense and can rest assured that every Bengals front office member regrets letting him get away.
I hope the Ravens heard Bob Costas say that the Jets will face “most likely the Colts” next weekend.
Of the four rookie quarterbacks to ever win a playoff start, two owe Rex Ryan. He’s quirky he’s loud, he doesn’t hide, but he has to be in discussions for Coach of the Year.
Game MVP: Jay Feely, (ST). Feely hit three field goals tonight, though only one counted. Feely also had an outstanding game punting for the Jets, pinning the Bengals inside their own 20 four times. Feely connected whenever his team called on him and that was the difference tonight.
No Shonn Greene love for mvp? Thomas Jones was bottled up all night but Greene ran with authority and got the Jets back in the game with his huge run.
ReplyDeleteI'd also submit Revis and Sanchez as MVP choices (although Feely's was certainly commendable given the spot punter duty). Revis absolutely smothered Ochocinco and had the big interception. He blew up Coles a couple times and all told disrupted what few good throws Palmer made. Sanchez also should get big kudos; he was viewed by the whole country as the weak link and impediment to a Jets victory. Countless "experts" noted Sanchez limiting mistakes as the key to the game. In other words, as long as Sanchez could minimize or hide how much he sucks, the Jets were fine. Talk about "nobody believed in us" for an individual. Sanchez was precise and sharp with his passes, hit hot route slants routinely, and perfectly lofted up 2 touchdown passes (one got spoiled by Fail Edwards). He was perhaps at his best on play-action and third down passes, when the Jets needed him to step up the most. I honestly cannot say that I ever thought "Sanchez what are you thinking?" during this game, which says wonders about his progress or at least his performance tonight.