One week you're up. The next you're down. One day you're mentally making Super Bowl plans. The next you're avoiding all media outlets and seriously contemplating not even watching The Big Game. Or maybe that's just me.
Typically after any of my teams suffer a brutal loss which results in an abrupt ending to a promising season, I'm unable to function for a week. I avoid all sports everything and create massive distractions for myself...read, write, cook, work, watch TV One reruns, catch up on my DVRed programs...you get the picture.
However, the fact that I'm even attempting to write about last night's game is a huge first step towards recovery for me. Here goes nothing!
On Friday I recognized an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I watched or read anything Jets related. It wasn't because I didn't have confidence that the Jets could defeat the Steelers, it was more about me knowing that the game would have my emotions spiraling out of control and I was unsure if I'd be able to handle it.
For this reason, my game plan was to watch the Jets game ALONE! I'd throw on the same Jets t-shirt I've worn for almost every game of the season and spazz out as I pleased.
Well, similar to the Jets, my game plan went up in flames immediately. Instead, while I was at brunch on Sunday afternoon, my mom called and texted me to say that my brother (also a Jets fan) and his girlfriend were heading out to the house to watch the game.
Panic ensued.
OMG. Do I stick to the script and move forward with watching the game alone? Do I head out to LI and watch the game with the fam? What about my t-shirt? Does it make sense to trek back to Harlem, grab my t-shirt, and go back downtown to catch the Long Island Railroad? Should I buy a "backup" t-shirt and wear that instead? Yes! That's what I'll do. It's the most logical, right? BUT! It's not the same t-shirt. What if the mojo is thrown off? Aaarrrggggghhh!!!!! All of these thoughts and a million more had my brain working overtime. I was driving myself insane.
Led by my head and not my heart, I decided to forget THE t-shirt, go to LI, and buy a "backup" t-shirt. My brother thought I was nuts, but whatevs. I had to do what I had to do. The Super Bowl was on the line!
Though, I was never quite comfortable with this decision. I thought it was similar to having a "backup" player start the game with no prior experience. The "backup" t-shirt wasn't broken in. There was no history. It was too fresh. Too fragile. This game was too major for that and I knew that the "backup" t-shirt couldn't handle the pressure. But I figured, if the first half was a disaster, I would remove my t-shirt for the second half and reverse the curse.
Well, you know what happened next. The Jets couldn't get anything going. Rashard Mendenhall ran all over our defense. Missed tackle after missed tackle. To borrow Bart Scott's line, they couldn't stop a nosebleed. Mr. Can't Wait! I couldn't wait for you to make a tackle! How about that!? Ugh. The irony.
The offense was no better. Brian Schottenheimer lived up to his name with shotty play calling. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but what was he thinking on that long drive in the 4th quarter?!?! The pass to Dustin Keller and Santonio Holmes on the next play were horrible calls!
I digress.
I think, if my memory serves me correctly, we had 1 rushing yard in the first half of the AFC Championship Game. You have got to be kidding me! The Steelers totally dominated us on both sides of the ball. Time of possession was more than 2:1 in favor of the Steelers. Overall, Rex Ryan was completely out coached in the first half.
Oh, and not to mention our kicking game was really suspect. Steve Weatherford, Nick Folk (just throwing him in because of past transgressions) -- get them out of here! I'm hoping they've already been cut and I just don't know it because I've cut myself off from all media.
As halftime approached, my mom said that the Jets needed to make some second half adjustments. You think? Understatement. Of. The. Century.
Down 24-3 at the half, I knew Rex Ryan would let them have it because that's what he does. As my brother pointed out, the Jets have been the Comeback Kids all season. We're use to this position. It's not the best position to be in, but it's ok. We'll come back. OK? OK. Agreed.
My confidence was building. Not only because we would start the second half with the ball, but most importantly, because that cursed "backup" t-shirt came off with the quickness! Also, we forbade my mom, who's known to be a sports jinx at times, from watching the second half. Now that normalcy had been restored, we knew the Cardiac Kids would wake up and get it done.
And just as I hoped, they came out ready. Their first drive resulted in a touchdown! 24-10.
OK, defense. Your turn. Time for you to show us that you received the same memo as the offense.
Although they shut out the Steelers in the second half, it still wasn't pretty. Stupid penalties like roughing the kicker set us back as seconds ticked away on the clock. Disastrous.
Plus, as I mentioned earlier, Schotty's play calling drove me crazy in the 4th quarter, especially since we made it all the way to the 1 yard line without scoring a TD. That's never OK.
As frustrating as it was, I suddenly had deja vu and images of a safety followed by a touchdown on the next possession dancing in my head. After all, Pittsburgh's center was out of the game with an injury and our defense was finally having success applying pressure to Big Ben and sacking him.
It happened! Just as I imagined! We were suddenly only down five points with about 3 minutes to go. 24-19. I was ecstatic! Running through the house flying like a jet!
There was enough time to get the ball back, IF, and that was a big IF, our defense handled business. I believed if our offense took the field again, Sanchez would lead us to victory!!!
They couldn't get it done. The defense gave up one first down too many and we were out of time outs.
The Jets lost. Game over. Season over. God bless you. Goodnight.
