Jets crumble in Seattle
Kyle Wilson #20 of the Jets reaches to stop Golden Tate #81 of the Seahawks. (Getty) Credit: Kyle Wilson #20 of the Jets reaches to stop Golden Tate #81 of the Seahawks. (Getty)
Kiss the playoffs goodbye.
After a week of providing playoff guarantees, the Jets found a way to systematically sink their season.
For much of the way, they were right there - just close enough to pull off a stunning upset in the most hostile of environments. But rookie quarterback Russell Wilson's 31-yard fourth-quarter strike to Sidney Rice with 7:53 left in the game was the dagger in an eventual 28-7 defeat.
Some might argue the true dagger was Mark Sanchez's sack-fumble on the ensuing Jets drive and the subsequent recovery by the Seahawks. Or, was it the touchdown pass thrown by lefthanded receiver Golden Tate to a wide open Rice in the end zone?
Take your pick. It doesn't matter.
All that now matters is the Jets wasted a sterling first-half performance by their defense and are now at 3-6.
The Jets defense made good on its promise of "rattling" Wilson, sacking the rookie four times - but their offense and special teams unit found a way to sink them at every turn early on. And in the later stages, the overtaxed defense couldn't keep up with the shifty Wilson.
Mark Sanchez finished 9-for-22 for 124 yards and 1 interception.
