Sports News
Jets, Giants Come up Short
Fans of the New York Jets and New York Giants went into Sunday's games with completely separate mindsets.
For Jets fans, the attitude was something short of desperation, yet far from confidence.
For Giants fans, the attitude was something short of overconfidence yet, far from worry.
For fans of both teams, Monday morning leaves a number of questions. Let's take a look at what went wrong (and the things that went right) during Week 5:
New England 30, NYJ 21
What went wrong: Rex Ryan's vaunted defense struggled to stop the run as the Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis scampered for 136 yards and two touchdowns while Tom Brady threw for 321 yards and a touchdown pass. With the Jets downs six in the fourth quarter, the Jets defense could not get off the field to give Mark Sanchez a shot to win the game. The Patriots converted several key third-downs, taking the clock down under two minutes and kicking a field goal to secure the win.
Meanwhile, the Jets' offense, criticized all week after a rough performance against Baltimore, struggled to take advantage of the Patriots' last-ranked defense. Sanchez was efficient, throwing for two touchdowns, but his 16 completions netted only 166 yards, leaving Jets fans to beg yet again for a more explosive, vertical offense. Plaxico Burress dropped several key passes in the second half.
What went right: Rex Ryan has insisted the team would get back to the "ground and pound" offense fans have come to know, and there were signs of that on Sunday. Shonn Greene collected a hard-earned 83 yards on 21 carries and a score. Additionally, Joe McKnight continues to be a bright spot in the return game, averaging 39 yards per return, including an 88-yard return that almost went back for a touchdown.
Seattle 36, Giants 25
What went wrong: For most of the game, it seemed everything went wrong for the Giants. Playing at home after three straight wins against a Seahawks team with fight but inferior talent, the Giants made enough mistakes in the first half to last half of the season. Eli Manning threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown as the Giants drove for a go-ahead touchdown at the end of the game. When it was all said and done, five turnovers gave the Seahawks great field position all afternoon.
Whether the offensive woes were more or less frustrating to Giants fans than the struggles on defense is subject to debate. The Seahawks trotted out Tavaris Jackson at quarterback, who scares few defensive coordinators, and Jackson carved the Giants secondary before injuring himself in the second half. Pate Carroll then turned to Charlie Whitehurst, which should have been a blessing to the Giants. Instead, Whitehurst gave the Giants even more trouble, including a go-ahead touchdown pass with just over two minutes to go.
The Giants dropped another winnable game at home to a bad team against a backup quarterback.
What went right: There isn't a whole lot to be happy about for Giants fans, but WR Victor Cruz is a big bright spot. Cruz finished the game with eight catches for 161 yards and a ridiculous, highlight-reel touchdown catch. Though he fumbled later in the game, Cruz has quickly become Eli Manning's favorite target, and adds an explosive dimension to a Giants offense still struggling to find its identity.
Photo Credit: Boston Globe Staff Photo/ Matthew J. Lee
FACEBOOK COMMENTS