Strange PlayCalling and A Very Entertaining Game, But the Jets Fall 24-18
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by Alanschech
It was an interesting game this afternoon at the Meadowlands as the New York Jets took on the Cleveland Browns. The 2 quarterbacks have history together as well, as Derek Anderson and Kellen Clemens go back to high school in Oregon battling against each other. And it surprisingly came right down to the end as well.
The first quarter came and went with very little action, aside from the final play of the quarter, when Kerry Rhodes picked off a Derek Anderson pass and set the Jets up on the Cleveland 12. On the drive, the Jets did manage a first down on a Kellen Clemens fourth down scramble to the 1 yard line. He seemed, as it looked on the TV, that he broke the plain of the goal line, but no challenge came from coach Mangini, so they had first and goal from the one. After two unsuccessful runs by Thomas Jones, however, Clemens was intercepted on the goal line by Sean Jones, nullifying the Jets' effort.
The game remained scoreless until inside 2 minutes of the first half, when Cleveland capped a 10 play drive with 1:20 left in the half with a TD pass from seven yards out from Anderson to Jamal Lewis. The Jets responded well, running the 2 minute drill on the ensuing drive, going 7 plays leading to a Mike Nugent 35 yard field goal, making it 7-3 as the half ended.
The Browns opened the second half quickly moving down the field in 5 plays ending in a TD pass from Derek Anderson to Braylon Edwards making the score 14-3. A 41 yard Nugent field goal later in the quarter ran the score to 14-6 Cleveland. The ensuing drive by Cleveland ended in a 41 yard field goal by Phil Dawson, making the score 17-6 with 13:04 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Then, the fun began, and the interesting calls began. A Browns drive that began with 6:30 left in the game took only 42 seconds on a 3 and out, giving the Jets the ball with 5:27 left at the 31 yard line, down 17-6. A quick 9 play 2:28 drive ended in a 1 yard Kellen Clemens sneak, making the score 17-12. Following a failed 2 point conversion attempt, the Jets lined up for, executed and recovered an onside kick, thanks to Brad Smith and Brad Kassell. They quickly drive to the Cleveland 20, and stall, setting up a 4th and 10 with 1:48 to go. Instead of going for it, in a really mind boggling decision, they kick a field goal, making it 17-15. Can't wrap my brain around that one. Then, with 3 time outs, instead of kicking it deep to try and pin the Browns back, they attempt another onside kick, this time easily recovered by Joe Jurevicius and returned to the Jets 37. Jamal Lewis runs it in from 31 yards out to make it 24-15 The Jets get the ball back with 1:20 to go, drive long enough for another Mike Nugent field goal to make it 24-18. A 3rd attempt at an onside kick fails, and that's the ball game, 24-18 Browns.
Kellen Clemens again had OK stats 24-41 for 286 yards and 2 INTs. Thomas Jones chipped in with 24 carries for 106 yards. Cotchery led the team in receiving with 6 catches for 119 yards, and Laveranues Coles on a badly injured ankle, limping most of the game, recorded 7 catches for 48 yards.
For the Browns, Derek Anderson went 16-29 for 185 yards 2 TD and 1 INT. Jamal Lewis ran 21 times for 118 yards and a TD, plus 3 catches for 19 yards and 1 TD. Braylon Edwards caught his 13th TD pass on the season, tying the all-time team high.
For the Jets, it's on to New England to attempt to break up the perfect season. According to SNY in NY, the line is already Patriots by 25. We shall see what happens.
