Jaguars' Late Drive Dooms Jets

NFL News - November 15th, 2009 - Written by John

Everything about the final five minutes of the game seemed to favor the New York Jets. They had just taken the lead thanks to a converted fourth down on a long run by Shonn Greene. The single-best defensive unit was set to take the field against a team that hadn't scored since the first half. The Jacksonville Jaguars had to drive 80 yards to get a game-winning score, and there was over five minutes on the clock at the beginning of the drive, meaning even if they did score, New York would likely have time to retort.

But the Jaguars weren't phased. On a day filled with thrilling finishes, Jacksonville kept it's playoff hopes alive when David Garrard completed four of six passes on the final drive, ran off all five minutes of playing time, and Josh Scobee knocked a 21-yard field goal through for a 24-22 win.

After winning it's first three games, New York has now lost five of it's last six games, making the same type of errors week in and week out. Mark Sanchez was picked off twice

The biggest plays of the final drive came midway through when Jacksonville was faced with a 3rd-and-9 at it's own 38. Garrard picked up the first down on a quick strike to Mike Thomas, then aired it out to Marcedes Lewis over the middle for a gain of 33. With the ball down to the Jets 10-yard line. Maurice Jones-Drew had a chance to punch in a touchdown to put his team up by six. But knowing there was still over a minute left on the clock, Jones-Drew alertly took a knee at the one-yard line. Garrard then sat on the ball the next two plays to milk the clock down and set Scobee up with a chip-shot.

Jones-Drew finished with 123 yards and a score, the fourth time this year he's had at least 100 yards and a touchdown.

To discuss this and other NFL related stories be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums