Nobody Wanted Jets to Win Over Chargers

“A matchup that probably nobody wanted, but too bad,” Ryan told the media. “Here we come.”

Rex hit the head on the nail. Nobody wanted the Jets to win this game. Jets vs. Colts isn’t the sexy match-up that Chargers vs. Colts would have been. The Jets don’t have LT, Rivers, or Gates. They’re not going to partake in a shootout. Their existence in the playoffs isn’t going to gain them fans, it’s going to make more fans of other teams root against them. Their going to keep jawing this week and piss more people off. My question is why can’t the Jet fan be happy for once? 

The NFL wanted the Chargers to go to the AFC Championship. People wanted LaDainian Tomlinson to end his run with the Chargers on top. They didn’t want this Jets team, that many people thought weren’t deserving of being in the playoffs, going to the AFC title game. The officials overturned a call on the field that was ruled a catch and a fumble and turned it into an incomplete pass. Malcom Floyd made a 12-yard reception and was tackled by Jim Leonhard who subsequently knocked the ball out of Malcom’s arms during the tackle and the Jets jumped on the ball. Replay clearly showed Floyd caught the ball, got his two feet down while moving forward (a “football move”), then was tackled and the ball came free. When a play is reviewed, there has to be conclusive evidence to overturn a call made on the field. The replay was not conclusive enough in my mind to overturn the call on the field which was a catch and fumble. The rule is the receiver has to make a “football move” after making the reception and I don’t think there was enough evidence to say he didn’t make that move. Terrible overturn by the officials. 

ESPN anchors, including Merril Hoge, didn’t think it was right for the refs to call a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty on Vincent Jackson when he kicked the Jets challenge flag. I could only imagine how many other people are upset about the call, but kicking the challenge flag was unsportsmanlike! It doesn’t matter how far he kicked it, it was an act of frustration because his team was losing and his catch was being challenged. He shouldn’t have done it and the penalty was justified. At least the officials made the right call there, unlike the challenge. 

Everybody can say the Jets shouldn’t be in the playoffs and they can talk about how the Jets aren’t a complete team and yadda yadda. The Jets play great defense, run the ball well, and do what they have to do in the air to win games. What more do people want? The four teams remaining are the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the NFC and the No. 1 and 5 seeds in the AFC. Hmmm, which number doesn’t belong in that group? Yes NFL and NFL fans, the Jets and their fans got your message and they don’t care!