Jets Coach Rex Ryan was pleased with his team’s play. He singled out quarterback Mark Sanchez, running back Thomas Jones, and the defensive play of Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis who each had two interceptions. Photo by and courtesy of Dan Miller / DMD Images.
The New York Jets (4-6) facing elimination from a post season birth faced the Carolina Panthers(4-6) at the Meadowlands on Sunday, November 29, 2009.
With a paid attendance of 76,381 looking on, the Jets won the toss and deferred to get the ball to start the second half. Carolina began the game with two running plays that were both stopped for losses by the Jets defense. Sounds good! With third and 17 Jake Delhomme handed off to running back DeAngelo Williams who ran right through the Jets defense for an 18-yard gain and a first down thus keeping their first drive alive. Doesn’t sound so good!!
The Panthers converted two more third down plays into first downs until the Jets finally held at their own 40. The Panthers elected to go for it on 4th and 7 and Jake Delhomme’s pass to the left flat bounced off Panther’s receiver Steve Smith and into the arms of Jets safety Darrelle Revis for an interception. Revis followed Jets blocking down the sidelines for a 67-yard touchdown giving the Jets an early lead. Darrelle Revis’s interception was the second one returned for a touchdown in his career and the first returned for a touchdown by the Jets this season. It was Revis’ 4th interception of the season, 12th of his career and second multiple interception of his career. The Panthers put 3-points on the scoreboard on a 40-yard field goal by John Kasay.
A Jake Delhomme pass intended to Steve Smith with 4:25 remaining in the first half was intercepted by Jets corner back Darrell Revis. his second of the game, giving the Jets good field position.. The euphoria of this play was soon lost as the Jets running back Shonn Greene fumbled the ball back to the Panthers with 2:14 to go in the first half at the Panthers 21-yard line.
The Jets wasted little time to get the ball back when recently benched corner back Kerry Rhodes picked off a Jake Delhomme pass and ran it back for an 11-yard return giving the Jets very good field position. Rhodes may have redeemed himself with that play setting up the Jets’ next score as Thomas Jones put the ball into the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run that saw him twist, turn and wiggle his way through the Panther defense ending with a sideways dive into the end zone and putting the Jets up 14-4 following the kick.
The Jets took the kickoff to start the second half and used up five minutes of the clock before losing the ball on a Dustin Keller fumble near the end zone for a touchback and another Alka Seltzer play by the Jets. The drive showed signs of life highlighted by two Sanchez to Edwards pass receptions but was interrupted by the Jets turnover in of all places in their opponents end zone.
The last time the Jets were victorious was on October 25 when the Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox to win the American League East.
Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez went down with 6:10 left in the third quarter following an 8-yard run
Kellen Clemens replaced Sanchez, as the rookie was attended to on the sidelines. Clemens replaced Sanchez for three plays and the Jets had to punt. the series for three plays that with time running out in the 3rd quarter.
A 12-yard sack of Panther QB Jake Delhomme by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace may have been a battle cry for the slumping Jets. Unfortunately Sanchez returned to the game and was greeted with an interception by Chris Gamble who returned a pass intended for Braylon Edwards for 2-yards to mid field with 14:12 in the game.
It looked like Panthers scored on a Delhomme to Smith touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. The Jets challenged the call on the field. Upon further review the pass was called incomplete thus erasing the touchdown. The Panthers scored again on a John Kasay 28-yard field goal Jay Feely matched that with a 47-yard field goal to put the Jets up 17-6. Kerry Rhodes sealed the Jets victory with his second interception of the game with the 1:10 remaining.
Jets corner Darrelle Revis picked up two interceptions in the game giving him four for the season. Fellow Jet safety Kerry Rhodes who had been benched earlier in the week also had two picks his first and second of the season. Photo by and courtesy of Dan Miller / DMD Images.
Standouts in the Jets win were Jets running back Thomas Jones who carried for 75-yards on 25 carries. Dustin Keller 4 receptions for 68 yards, Braylon Edwards, 3 catches for 40-yards and on defense Darrelle Revis 2 interceptions for 67 yards and a touchdown and Kerry Rhodes 2 interceptions for17 yards. Jay Feele hit for a 47-yard field goal.
The win improved the Jets record to 5-6.
