December 22nd, 2002. I was in my senior year of high school. I had only been driving a car for two months. I couldn't legally buy a pack of cigarettes, let alone a beer. That was the last time it happened. That is, until today.
Until today.
December 22nd, 2002. It was the first year of Project Chad, the second year of The Edwards Regime. After a depressing loss to the lowly Bears, the New York Jets went into to Foxboro, Massachuessetts and defeated the defending-champion Patriots, 30-17, keeping their playoff dreams alive in the process. Pennington threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns. They would end up making the playoffs, defeating Payton Manning's Colts 41-0 in the Wild Card Round only to get pummelled by the Raiders the next week.
As a Jet fan, I still big expectations for the franchise, though. With a solid new quarterback, a dependable coach, and a slew of new draft picks, the sky was the limit.
Or so it seemed. In the next few years, the front office let a bunch of key players leave, Herm Edwards proved he couldn't tell time, and Chad Pennington's spaghetti-like shoulder ligaments took a worse beating than Tina Turner. While this happened, Bill Belichick led his homo-erotic looking quarterback and rival Patriots to two more Super Bowl victory.
December 22nd, 2002. That was the last time the New York Jets had beaten the New England Patriots, the poster boys of the NFL. It was also the last time the Patriots had lost consecutive games.
That is, until today.
17-14. The Jets beat the Patriots today, 17-14, for the first time in four years. Even going into the half with a 7-6 lead, it felt too good to be true. It wasn't until after a 34-yard Mike Nugent field goal in the fourth quarter that it felt like a game the Jets could win, but once I realized that a win was attainable, I began to have mild seizures. When Pennington hooked up with Jerricho Cotchery in the back of the endzone to give the Jets a 17-6 lead, it still felt too good to be true. The Patriots retailiated with a 4 play, 64 yard drive that ended in a touchdown and a two-point conversation.
But, on the final drive of the game, 46 yards away from the endzone, Shawn Ellis sacked Tom Brady, forcing him to fuble the ball and let the clock expire.
And, that was it. The Jets had won, improving their record to 5-4, with a relatively light scheduele ahead of them. The Patriots fall to 6-3, and hold a single game lead over the Jets in the AFC East.
That means, the Jets can win the division for the first time since 2002.
After four years of question marks, mirery, and heartbreak, this win is extremely important for the Jets. In their first season under new Head Coach Eric Mangini, the Jets have proven they can do a lot with a little. Their record is somewhat misleading, considering there are absolutely no real stars on the team. Mangini has convinced a group of sub-par players that they are alot better than they actually are, and it has left them playing the best football Jet fans have seen in years.
For myself, this is a huge day. This is the best feeling I've had after a win since the 2002 playoff victory. This team is promising, and intimidating. After spending the last year in New England, being surronded by their ignorant fans, I feel like I've won the lotto. And I can glow, as brightly as I want today. Oh man. After watching a Patriot organization that continues to get better and better every year, even after losing so many key players, it's so satisfying. I haven't been so proud to be a Jet fan in my entire life. So, please, humor me, and scream the phrase below.
J-E-T-S!
JETS!!!!
JETS!!!!
JETS!!!!
