The Jets received the ball on the next possession, after a
touchback from a Nick Novak kick, and went right back to work. Sanchez hit Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes for
eight yards to the New York twenty-eight.
After a first down from Shonn Greene, Sanchez hit Plaxico Burress for
fifteen yards out to the Jets forty-six yard line. The Chargers donated an additional five yards
on an Offsides Penalty by Antonio Garay.
Then Greene made a contribution of his own on the next play, rushing for
twenty-four yards to the Chargers twenty-five yard line. Vaughn Martin, of San Diego, was Offsides;
landing the Jets at the Chargers seventeen yard line. At this point the Jets
began to self destruct in the Red Zone, so Nick Folk came on to complete a
thirty five yard field goal. At the
eight minute and twenty-eight second mark the score was San Diego
7, New York 3.
New York’s Aaron Maybin sacked Quarterback Philip Rivers for
a seven yard loss on third down; causing Mike Scifres to punt. On third down of this possession, Sanchez hit
Keller on the San Diego thirty-four yard line.
Keller then delivered again on third down, making a reception at the
Chargers twenty-three. But Center Nick
Mangold returned Keller’s ten yards to San Diego on a Holding Penalty; landing
the Jets with a first and twenty to go.
After an Offsides penalty by Cam Thomas of the Chargers, Sanchez threw
an interception. The pass intended for Burress was picked off by Eric Weddle
and returned for twenty-five yards with less than four minutes remaining in the
first quarter. In a little over three
minutes, Rivers managed to move the San Diego Chargers forty-five yards to the
Jets thirty-one yard line ending the First Quarter; after two twelve yard
catches by the big Tighend, Antonio Gates.
At the start of the Second Quarter Rivers completed a pass
to one of his most prolific receivers, Vincent Jackson, for fifteen yards. Runningback Mike Tolbert then ran for twelve
yards on two carries; landing the Chargers at the Jets twelve. Three plays later, on third down and two,
Rivers hit Gates for a Touchdown. The
score was now Chargers over the Jets fourteen to three.
The Jets finally answered the call after the second San
Diego touchdown. Greene rushed for nine yard to the New York thirty-two. After three consecutive penalties, one for
five yards by the Jets and two for nineteen yards by the Chargers New York landed
at the forty-nine yard line. Yes, one of those penalties was Pass Interference
on Quentin Jammer of San Diego. Greene
rushed for five more yards before Sanchez hit Holmes on a sixteen yard gainer
to the Chargers twenty-eight. San Diego’s
Donald Butler contributed another three yards on their second Pass Interference
penalty of the Second Quarter. Sanchez
then threw to Tomlinson for a nineteen yard addition to this drive, placing the
ball on the Chargers six yard line. At
the eight minute and seven second mark New York called a timeout. After their
returned to the field San Diego was charged with an Offsides penalty by Jacques
Cesaire landing New York at the three. Three
minutes later San Diego called a Timeout.
Only two plays later, Sanchez found Burress for a touchdown. All of a sudden the score was Chargers
fourteen and Jets ten; we now have ourselves a game.
At the two minute and fifty-three second mark, New York
called a Timeout with the Chargers threatening at the New York eight. The Jets are then hit with a Pass
Interference penalty; placing the ball on the Jets seven yard line. Rivers
hands off to Tolbert who finally rushes for a Touchdown on the third attempt;
with a minute and sixteen seconds remaining. At Half time the Chargers
twenty-one and the Jets ten.
The Jets opened Third Quarter with rigor and purpose. On New
York’s first possession Sanchez ran right for twenty-five yards to the Jets
thirty-seven. The Jets picked up an
additional five yards on an Offsides Penalty by the Chargers Travis LaBoy.
Three plays later Shaun Phillips sacked Sanchez for a loss of eight yards;
leading to a punt by T.J. Conley. But New York’s defense held and they got the
ball back after three and out.
Sanchez then proceeded to move the ball around and mix up
his play calling. Utilizing Greene, Jeremy Kerley and Keller they moved the
ball to the San Diego nineteen yard line with four minutes and seventeen
seconds remaining in the Third Quarter.
Then Sanchez hit Burress for another Touchdown; bring the Jets within
four points of San Diego.
The Jets defense rose to the occasion by sending Rivers and
his crew to the sidelines after a quick three and out. But the Jets shot themselves in the foot with
penalties. Mangold was call on an Illegal Player Downfield for five yards and
again for a Holding Penalty, which cost New York another ten yards. The Jets were forced to punt at the beginning
of the Fourth Quarter.
Rivers and his crew returned to the field and managed the
clock for over five minutes. Rivers hit Randy McMichael for a thirty yard
gainer; down to the Jets thirty. It
looked like San Diego was about to close this game out. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere Rivers
throws down field to Jackson and Darelle Revis intercepts the pass. Revis returns the ball sixty-four yards to
the San Diego nineteen yard line. After a few plays later Sanchez hits
Burress for his third touchdown with eight minutes and forty-four seconds
remaining. All of a sudden the score is twenty-one to twenty-four in favor of
New York.
The Chargers hopes faded for good after a Rivers pass on
Third Down to Jackson was intercepted by Kyle Wilson; who returned the ball ten
yards to the San Diego forty-seven.
The New York Jets took possession of the ball and control of
the game at the five minute thirty-four second mark of the Fourth Quarter. Greene moved New York to the third yard line
of San Diego real estate with a minute and forty-eight seconds remaining. The Chargers called timeout. After Sanchez was sacked by the Chargers Shaun Phillips for
a loss of nine yards, Nick Folk came on to nail a thirty yard field goal.
Plaxico Burress had the game of a life time; with three
touchdown receptions. Mark Sanchez got sharp
as the game progressed. Sanchez
completed eighteen passes on thirty-three attempts, for one hundred seventy-three
yards. Shonn Greene had an awesome day
as he rushed for one hundred twelve yards on twenty carries. Dustin Keller donated fifty-three yards on
four pass receptions.
As for the San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers completed
sixteen passes on thirty-two attempts for a total of one hundred seventy-nine
yards. Mike Tolbert rushed for
fifty-eight yards on eleven carries. Antonio Gates added fifty-four yards with
five receptions.
Philip Rivers must rededicate himself to the game of
football if he is to become a Super Bowl champion. San Diego needs the
inspiring leader it once had at the quarterback position. Rivers is surrounded
by talent, so there is no reason for this team to fail at acquiring those rings. A new offensive coordinator would accomplish
wonders with the Chargers.
While the New York Jets offense continues to improve, I am
still amazed at the great effort put forth consistently each week by their
defense. The defense has truly delivered
better than quality results for the Jets this season.
The final score was San Diego 21, New York 27.
©Copyright 2011 All
Rights Reserved (17 USC Sec. 102(a)).
Article by A. Carter for Contemplating New York Jets Football™
