Around the Web: Game Balls for the Jets Big Road Win in Pittsburgh

Published: 21^st Dec 10 10:17 am

by Jon Presser
New York Jets Lead Columnist

1 Rant »

The Jets had their backs against the wall on Sunday, going on the road in a place they’ve never won before, coming off their first two-game losing streak of the season against a 10-3 Steelers team that no one expected them to beat.

But something funny happened on the way to the Jets season-ending collapse. They went into the harsh Pittsburgh environment and played one of their best all-around games all season, beating the favored Steelers 22-17.

That smiling man you see to the left is much-maligned Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and he’s got a reason to be happy. He admitted he’s heard the vocal fans who have called for him to lose his job, blaming him for the offense woes that have befallen the team in the past few weeks.

But good players, and coaches, bounce back from adversity. This Jets team has proven they are resilient, and Brian Schottenheimer called one of the best games of his career on Sunday, as his offense was able to break through and score a touchdown for the first time since Thanksgiving.

Although the offense only scored one touchdown, (the other Jets touchdown was scored by Brad Smith on the opening kickoff of the game) it was a huge one. Down 17-10, facing 4th and short on the 7-yard line, Schottenheimer dialed up one of the best play-fakes in the NFL this season, as the Steelers defense, the CBS camera crews and commentators all focused on Shonn Greene, Sanchez ran a bootleg off the play-action into the endzone untouched to the tie the game.

That play turned the game around, and although he wasn’t perfect on Sunday, it was a big time play-call by Schottenheimer. That’s why my first game ball goes to Schotty, a guy who gets a whole lot of blame, deservedly at times, and not a lot of credit when things go well.

Gang Green Nation felt the same way, as they gave a game ball to Brian Schottenheimer as well. With a back-up right tackle making his first start, and a Steelers defense that is the stingiest run defense the NFL has seen since the merger, Schottenheimer’s game plan was nearly flawless from start to finish, although it must be noted that the Jets nearly gave the game away by giving the Steelers far too much time at the end of the game.

On the Jets Blog, Brian Bassett and company gave out game balls to a few key contributors as well, including Drew Coleman and his two strip sacks of Ben Roethlisberger, Brad Smith for setting the tone on the opening kickoff, and Jason Taylor for reminding the Jets fans what he’s capable of.

The Jets played their most consistent game of the season offensively, defensively and on special teams. There’s too many guys deserving of game balls to list them all here. Who do you think deserved a game ball? Comments welcome on this one.

Turns out the Jets demise was greatly exaggerated. As Rex Ryan joked after the game, the “same old Jets” came into Pittsburgh and got a win. The Jets can clinch a playoff spot with a win next week in Chicago, as the NFC North champion Bears will be playing for a potential first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.

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