Jets shocked Chargers with 17-14 win

Monday, 18 January 2010 00:00

The rookies did it again, on the road again, at San Diego.

Jets’ first-year coach Rex Ryan, rookies quarterback Mark Sanchez and running back Shonn Greene grinded their way to a stunning 17-14 upset of the San Diego Chargers (13-4).

Rookie coach Rex Ryan, who had trouble figuring out he was still in the playoffs after the 10-7 hom- loss to Atlanta, and when he did declared his team Super Bowl favorites, is just a game away to see his prediction come true.

The New York Jets (11-7) ,the most unlikely team to make the postseason with a 7-7 record before visiting unbeaten Indianapolis on Week 15, are headed into the AFC championship game against Peyton Manning and the Colts on Sunday.

“A matchup that probably nobody wanted, but too bad,” Ryan said. “Here we come!” meaning “Here we come again.”

Despite being 14-0 and having a shot at a perfect season, the Colts pulled Manning and other starters in the second half of their Week 16 game against the Jets, who rallied to a 29-15 victory that put them in control of their playoff destiny. Before that game, Ryan said his holiday wish was for the Colts to rest Manning & Co.

He got his wish ,and after the Jets did clinch a playoff spot by crushing Cincinnati on the regular-season finale, the always optimistic Ryan created a postseason itinerary for his players that included the Super Bowl in Miami followed by a parade two days later.

Incredibly, the Jets now are only two games away from Ryan’s vision of his team future this season.

So close, yet so far.

“We believed the whole time, the whole year, when it probably wasn’t the popular choice,” Ryan said. “We don’t have to apologize to anyone.”

The Jets have won seven of their last eight and advance to the AFC championship for the first time since 1999.

“It’s a big win for our franchise, and we’re not done” Sanchez said.

The Chargers took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but with too many mistakes and penalties let the Jets hang around too long.

The grinding Jets finally got their own way, becoming the only road team to win in the divisional round. Sanchez went from looking like the rookie he is, with 20 interceptions in the regular season, to a guy who has now two straight playoff wins on the road.

New York made it 7-3 with Jay Feely’s 46-yd field goal with 10:45 left in the third quarter, and capitalized when River threw his second interception on second-and-nine from his 5. Rivers underthrew Antonio Gates, who hadn’t even turned around, safety Jim Leonhard picked him off and returned it to the 16.

On third down, Sanchez rolled to the right and threw to tight end Dustin Keller in the back of the end zone who made a spectacular diving 2-yd catch to put the Jets ahead 10-7.

On their next possession, the Jets returned to their top-ranked running game and Greene broke free for a powerful 53-yd rushing TD, running over safety Eric Weddle in the process. Jets 17, Chargers 7.

“Once I got in the secondary, I had one tackle to break and I did it, and it was off to the end zone.” Said Greene,who had 128 yds on 23 carries Sunday, and rushed for 135 yds and a TD last week against Cincinnati.

After Philip Rivers scored on 1-yd sneak with 2:14 left to pull the Chargers within 3, the Jets recovered ther onside kick. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the 29 with 1:09 left, New York called timeout. Ryan decided to go for it and Thomas Jones bulled through the Chargers’ line for 2 yds.

Game, set and match. The Chargers saw their 11-game winning streak come to end at the hands of the most unlikely opponent.

“It was the best defense I’ve played this year,” said Ladainian Tomlison, who was held to 24 yds in 12 carries. “Run, pass, and they are really prepared. Hats off to them.”

Tomlison,after nine seasons as their leading running back, might have played his last season with the Chargers.

San Diego’s All-Pro kicker Nate Kaeding missed 3 field goals. When he missed the third one wide right from 40 with the Chargers trailing by 10 with 4:38, Ryan pumped his fist and smiled.

The last time these teams met in the playoffs, following the 2004 season, the then rookie Kaeding missed wide right in overtime. The Jets moved down the field and won 20-17 on Doug Brien’ s 28-yd field goal.

Five years laters, the Jets left a stunned Qualcomm Stadium winners again, after upsetting the AFC No 2 seed.

“We’re not supposed to be here,” Jets’ guard Alan Faneca said. “All week, people were basically thanking us for providing the game, and we went out and took it.”

That says it all.

Check out the odds for the NFL Conference games this Sunday at BetPhoenix.com Sports book, and put a wager on your favorites in the last two contests before the Super Bowl.

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Jets shocked Chargers with 17-14 win

Jets shocked Chargers with 17-14 win

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