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When It Rains It Pours: New York Jets Win Three in a Row

The New York Jets dealt with the weather, injuries, and the referees. Yet, they manage to beat the Giants for their 3rd win in a row.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20)

Clouds engulfed the skyline in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A grey murky aura you’d expect from a rainy fall afternoon on Sunday, October 29th. The kind of “football weather” you know will lead to an unforgettable game. No matter how good… or bad.

A battle of two beloved teams in the New York metropolitan area. The New York Giants and New York Jets faced each other for the 15th time in history. The New York Jets are riding a two-game winning streak this season and look to capture their third straight win against the Giants. The Giants want to avoid going 1-4 in their last five games. It was inconsistent; It was frustrating. It was ugly football at its finest. The New York Jets leaned on their defense after the offense struggled to produce anything. But with some late-game heroics and a great special teams performance, they managed to secure the overtime win.

When It Rains It Pours: New York Jets Win Three in a Row

The Jets opened the game Sunday with possession. After a 12-yard pass from Zach Wilson to Breece Hall, it looked like the offense was going to move down the field. However, Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was too savvy to make it easy for the Jets. A third-down sack on Zach Wilson by Kayvon Thibodeaux resulted in a fumble recovery for the Giants in the red zone. This was only the beginning of a rough day for the Jets offense. A quick three-and-out resulted in a 31-yard field goal to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

Hope was fading fast with the Jets scoreless and less than two minutes before the end of the first quarter. Although, the Jets remembered they have a few stars on this team. With the ball at midfield, Zach Wilson found Breece Hall on a check-down pass. Hall proceeded to charge down the field for the 50-yard touchdown pass. The Jets grabbed the 7-3 lead with seconds before the second quarter.

Injuries take center stage

Following the touchdown led to an agonizing stretch of football for both franchises. The Jets watched veteran defensive tackle Al Woods laying on the field the following drive. It was later reported Woods had suffered a torn Achilles, the third season-ending injury the team has suffered this year. On the next possession, the Jets suffered another injury, this time to starting center Connor McGovern. The injury forced right guard Wes Schweitzer to shift to center. Alas, this was short-lived as Schweitzer would wind up injured the following drive. This meant the Jets would rely upon practice squad lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson to snap the ball. Disaster was instantaneous as Zach Wilson fumbled their first snap, which resulted in the Giants recovering the ball.

The Giants couldn’t capitalize on the Jets’ misfortune, primarily due to injuries of their own. Star tight-end Darren Waller excited the game within the first quarter. Their quarterback Tyrod Taylor, was forced out of the game due to a rib injury. Backup Tommy DeVito replaced Taylor but the Jets held the lead at the end of the first half, 7-3.

Overmatched in the second half

Despite the New York Jets holding the lead entering the second half, it was gone in an instant. Giants star running back Saquon Barkley took the ball for 34 yards from the Giants’ 31-yard line inside the Jets’ 40-yard line. The Giants got the ball within goalline but were stopped on 3rd and goal with a sack. That was until a late flag on unnecessary roughness resulted in another first and goal for the Giants. Tommy DeVito ran the ball in for the lead and his first career touchdown. The Giants now led 10-7.

The Jets were unable to gain any momentum throughout the next five drives. The offensive line couldn’t create running lanes for Breece Hall to exploit. Pass protection was non-existent and led to reckless sacks by Zach Wilson. The Jets were 0-13 on third downs the entire game until a 17-yard run by Zach Wilson with two minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, the defense made sure to hold the Giants to no points for the majority of the second half.

MetLife Miracle Part 4?

Zach Wilson got sacked on 4th and 10 at the Jets 41-yard line. With under two minutes left and the ball inside Jets territory, Giants head coach Brian Daboll went conservative and continued to run with Barkley. On 4th and 1 at the Jets 17, Graham Gano looked to seal the game with a 35-yard field goal. Alas, it was time for some magic. First-round pick Will McDonald perfectly timed the kick to alter its path and give the Jets possession at their 17-yard line.

With the game on the line and no timeouts left, the Jets needed something big. Zach Wilson hit Garrett Wilson on a huge 29-yard pass to get the Jets in Giants territory. He then found Allen Lazard on another 29-yard pass to set the Jets up at the 17-yard line. After spiking it with one second left, veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein hit it through the uprights to tie the game at 10-10 and head into overtime.

Giants began overtime with possession at their 25-yard line. A holding penalty on tight end Daniel Bellinger forced them back 10 yards. The Jets defense held their own and forced Gillian to punt on 4th and 21.

Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein for the win

With possession at their 39-yard line, it was now or never for Robert Saleh’s team. The Giants forced two quick plays for no gain. It was third and ten still at the 39-yard line. The team was held to 1-14 on third downs for the game. Fortunately, Zach Wilson found Garrett Wilson right at the line to gain the first down.

At the Giants 45 on 3rd-and-5, Zach Wilson made a veteran move under-throwing a pass intended for Malik Taylor that Adoree’ Jackson broke up. The official immediately threw the flag for defensive pass interference. As a result, the Jets had a first down at the Giants 15-yard-line. This set up Greg Zuerlein to execute the game-winning 33-yard field goal on 1st and 10. The New York Jets hold on for the 13-10 victory and have a winning record for the first time since week one.

Main Photo: [Kevin R. Wexler/The Record] – USA Today Sports

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