New York Jets bounce back against Pittsburgh Steelers
The Jets have been in a slump ever since they were humiliated by Tom Brady and the Patriots. Their hopes for an AFC East title have been all but crushed but they are still very much in the race for the playoffs. They needed to pick up their game and Brad
Smith’s 97 yards kickoff return touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers set them on the right path as soon as the game began.
Shaun Suisham kicked the ball 67 yards to New York’s three yard line and Smith did the rest. Steelers defence is always considered a challenge and Smith’s 97 yards dash through Pittsburgh’s line showed the Jets that their offense has what it takes to beat
a defence like as strong as Pittsburgh’s. However the Steelers showed the Jets why they are considered one of the best defences in the league. After the kickoff return touchdown the Steelers held off all of New York’s advances. The Jets’ first drive ended
after just two yards. Half way into the quarter when New York regained possession, Mark Sanchez began to come into his own.
New York is the 6th best running side in the league and they made sure to use the strength of their running backs against Pittsburgh. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, doubling as both runners and receivers, worked with Sanchez to take the
Jets to Pittsburgh 25 yard line. An offensive holding penalty pushed them back 10 yards and they lost a play when Pittsburgh’s linebacker James Farrior sacked Sanchez. The Jets were unable to score in the first quarter except for Smith’s touchdown.
The Steelers were no better. For their first offensive drive quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attempt to pass the ball on four plays. He was successful on three of those attempts but that took the Steelers only 11 yards forward. Rashard Mendenhall threw in
8 yards on two plays but still the Steelers were unable to keep the drive going. Roethlisberger proved to be no more successful in his next attempt. The Steelers regained possession of the ball on the 46 after a 30 yard punt from New York. They were able to
push ahead to the 34 yard line but no farther.
The Steelers regained possession in the last minute of the 1st quarter and continued the drive into the 2nd quarter. Pittsburgh started their offence on the 4 yard line and moved up in a hurry. The Steelers tried to through off New
York’s secondary with a series of no huddle plays from Pittsburgh’s 32 to New York’s 25. Roethlisberger threw 16 yards to Hines Ward and 12 and 13 yard passes to Emmanuel Sanders. But then New York Sacked the Steelers quarterback for 8 yards in an attempt
to slow down Pittsburgh’s offense. It takes more than a sack to stop Big Ben. Roethlisberger got back up from Bryan Thomas’ sack and shock off the hit with an 18 yard pass to Ward, followed immediately by 4 yards to Sanders and a 2 yards rushing play by Mendenhall.
Well inside the red zone, on New York’s 9 yard line, Roethlisberger threw the first touchdown pass for Pittsburgh. Matt Spaeth received the pass for touchdown and with Suisham’s extra point, the Steelers tied the score with New York. However, keeping pace
with the Jets would prove to be a tougher challenge.
After Spaeth’s touchdown New York’s offence began its’ first real charge forwards. From the 37, the Jets advanced to Pittsburgh’s 49 in 5 plays. From the 49 they shot into the red zone in just one play. Sanchez threw a deep right pass to wide receiver Braylon
Edwards. He carried the pass to Pittsburgh’s 11 before Steelers cornerback Bryan McFadden stopped his advance. Tomlinson rushed two yards on from the 11 and Sanchez managed to pass two more in 2 plays to take the Jets to the 7 yard line. New York attempted
the field goal and Nick Folk made the attempt flawlessly.
Possession returned to Pittsburgh on the 23 yard line with the scores at 10 against 7 in New York’s favour. Roethlisberger connected five times in five attempts. New York conceded 9 yards in penalties and helped the Steelers up to New York’s 30 yard line.
New York caught up to Roethlisberger and from the 24 their secondary stopped three consecutive passes forcing Pittsburgh to attempt the field goal. Suisham’s attempt was good. Less than a minute remained on the clock when possession returned to New York. The
first half ended with the score tied at 10.
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