[mmarra82]

Victory At A Cost!

Hempstead, NY - The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-21 to capture the AFC East crown for the second time in three years. But the victory did come at a cost. Early in the second quarter the Jets lost Chad Pennington with a knee injury that looked bad. Leading 14-0, and playing extremely well, Pennington stepped back to pass, Pats defesive linemen rushed Pennington's throw, with the quarterback falling awkwardly over Hamilton. The result sent Pennington to the locker room, and the Jets hearts in their throats.

Enter Tim Rattay for the first time this season. Rattay has not seen game action since the preseason, but, you would not have known it. Rattay the most unlikely hero, came in and performed flawlessly. He completed 17 of 21 passes for 164 yards and more importantly, no turnovers. Feeling the pressure as well was Curtis Martin, who carried 29 times for a season high, 151 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was his longest carry of the season, 59 yards.

Said Martin, "Chad is the leader of the offense on the field, and when he went down, you could feel a bit of tension in the huddle. For the line to open up that hole, and us to score right away with Tim in there, gave us the boost we really needed at that time."

Pennington had an MRI this morning that revelad no structural damage to the knee, however, he will be out 2-4 weeks, and is officially listed as questionable for there game in two weeks.

The positive was the victory, a complete victory. The team played well in all areas, you have to expect a good football team like New England to make some plays, especially with their season on the line. The Jets had learned while taking the field that the Indianpolis Colts were defeated by the Jaguars and that they were now in the playoffs, however, that would not take away their focus. The Jets wanted the division, and a chance for a first round bye. The bye will allow Fabini, Claridge, and Molden play, something they have not for a few weeks now. It also allows Abraham to get back to full strength and just maybe help Pennington prepare his knee to play.

Coach McGregor, who took over in January 2003, has this team believing in itself for maybe the first time during his reign. McGregor who at times appeared he would lose this team has kept to his ways never wavering on his decisions, he has stuck by his decisions something that the team has learned to appreciate. Kevin Mawae stated, "he is a straight shooter, he does not give a crap what you have done in the past, only what you just did."

The Jets are now at a place that looked bleak at the halfway point when the team was 4-4, but they settled down defensively, and found ways to win.