Back in 1969, a young upstart New York Jets were being led by a young, handsome, cocky quarterback with an incredible arm. They called him Broadway Joe. Joe Willie Namath was the quarterback of the Jets and he boldly predicted his team would pull the upset against heavy favorites Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts. Only Namath could make such a brash prediction and only Broadway Joe was able to lead his young Jets team to a championship over Unitas and the Colts. He surprised everyone except for himself. There’s only one Broadway Joe Namath.
Fast forward forty one years and you have the 2010 version of the New York Jets who came into Indianapolis with some serious momentum and more importantly, they had plenty of confidence and swagger to boot. These Jets also had a young, handsome quarterback who was beaming with confidence as his Jets strolled onto the field in Indy. Mark Sanchez was the new playboy in NYC and had his Jets rolling. Rookie coach Rex Ryan had instilled his style of coaching and attitude among his players and it was quite obvious things were working out well. Jets came out firing and playing like a team possessed. Like a team ready to make huge statement. However, this time around, Peyton Manning and his team would be playing all 60 minutes. This time, things would be different.
Early on, NY Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez played the game of his life by tossing the football with zip and precision. As a matter of fact, he surprised most by tossing two touchdowns in this game. What? Both were in the first half! What? The Jets were throwing the football! They’re a run first , run second, run third, and maybe throw fourth team. However, Rex Ryan and his staff had them firing on all cylinders early. Even WR Braylon Edwards caught a touchdown pass and it was a thing of beauty.What? Braylon Edwards actually caught a pass…a touchdown? Wow, what a game plan.
Defensively in the first half. the Jets played like Ryan coached. A little wild and a little crazy. They blitzed Manning from every angle possible and gave him little or no time to throw or think. Before you could blink it was 14-6 Jets with a few minutes left till halftime. A few minutes left and the ball in Indy territory with a chance to score again. Unable to convert a big third down, the Jets settled for a field goal as Jay Feely drilled one from 48 yards out. New York added to their surprising lead making 17-6 with just over two minutes left till halftime. Dominance I tell you, dominance thus far.
New York had Manning and his Colts on the ropes. The top defense was showing everyone why they’re in the AFC Championship game. Well, that is for the first twenty eight minutes of the first half. You see, this is Peyton Manning. If you ever get him on the ropes and have him staggered, you better knock him out! Don’t let him get off the ropes! If you do, it only takes one roundhouse hay maker from Manning and you’ll be in trouble. That’s exactly what happened to the young upstart Jets.
They allowed Manning to get off the ropes. Manning was able to deliver one huge left hook and then a solid right to the chin. The left hook was a forty six yard thing of beauty to WR Austin Collie that took the ball down to the Jets sixteen yard line. Staggered by this play, Manning had the Jets set up for a right cross to the chin. He cocked (sorry) his right arm back and delivered a telling blow. A solid right to the chin by hitting a wide open Austin Collie for a touchdown to make the score 17-13 Jets. There was not a Jet defender within ten yards of Collie. They were so staggered by the roundhouse hook, they never saw it coming. New life, new hope and new ball game for Manning and the Colts.
You let Peyton Manning off the ropes and give him new life, your in big trouble. It’s kind of like hitting the six foot nine dude with the hardest punch in the world and he’s there smiling at you. You have this pit in your stomach of, Oh No, I’m in deep shit now! Hence, that’s exactly what happened to the Jets as Manning was able to take the punches and then surgically pick apart the top defense in the league in the second half. Indianapolis outscored the Jets 17-0 in the second half as Manning passed for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. What a thing of beauty.
Mr. MVP Peyton Manning directed his Colts to a very impressive 30-17 victory and another chance at a Super Bowl. For new head coach Jim Caldwell, it seemed like business as usual in the second half and get back to the Super Bowl for most of the Colts. For first year coach Rex Ryan and rookie QB Mark Sanchez, a great year for them. The Jets learned a lot about their rookie QB and much more from their rookie coach. Great future ahead for the Jets.
One thing the Jets didn’t learn… when you have a chance to knock your opponent out, knock him out! Further more Jet fans and for that matter Mark Sanchez need to remember something. There’s only one Broadway Joe Namath. He was one of a kind and is the only Jets QB to ever deliver the knockout punch and he beat the Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III. So Mr. Sanchez, your no Broadway Joe, but you do have one thing going for you. You look very much like Vince Chase on HBO’s Entourage. It might not help you win a Super Bowl like Broadway Joe, but it can’t hurt when it comes to the ladies.
