McElroy, Defense Keep Jets Playoff Hopes Alive with Ugly 7-6 Win

Don’t worry you’re not hallucinating, the headline actually includes the name of the New York Jets (5-7) third-string quarterback. Second-year former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy replaced Mark Sanchez on the team’s final drive of the third quarter. In his first ever regular season game action, McElroy led the Jets to what ended up being the game-winning touchdown in his first drive. While his numbers aren’t anything to brag about, it’s safe the say he had a positive impact on the team and he’s more than welcome to brag about that. A Proven Winner There has always been a lot of talk about Tim Tebow and the fact that he’s won two BCS National Championships and how he won for the Broncos when finally given a chance. He is often said to be a proven winner and a great leader. However, it is often overlooked that Mark Sanchez is the only quarterback on the roster that hasn’t won a national championship. McElroy won a championship in 2009 with Alabama. He has a Texas state championship, records in high school and has won awards as a scholar/athlete in college. McElroy is often praised as a very smart player and while he doesn’t have the strongest arm, he relies on good decision-making (something the Jets could use). He didn’t have the flashiest stat-line but he was effective: 5/7 for 29 yards and one touchdown. He even drew a personal foul call on a short scramble and converted two third downs on passes, one for a touchdown. The offense appeared to be playing a bit harder and more inspired once McElroy took the field. We will have to wait and see what’s in store when the Jets travel to Jacksonville to take on the 2-10 Jaguars. Rex Ryan didn’t commit to any of the quarterbacks in regards to next week. Embarrassing Nonetheless That game was, in my opinion, more embarrassing than the Thanksgiving debacle against the New England Patriots. The Arizona Cardinals are a joke of a team, now having lost eight in a row and failing to convert a third down in the game (0-15). There was no reason to not more than handle them. I know they have a solid defense, but they’ve still been struggling and the Jets needed to put together a solid game. The running game was quietly impressive on the stat sheet as the Jets as a team rushed 43 times for 177 yards. However, Sanchez was a dreadful 10 out of 21 for only 97 yards and three interceptions. What I will say is that two of the interceptions weren’t entirely his fault. Jeff Cumberland didn’t appear to look for the ball on the second one and the ball bounced off Chaz Schilens and Patrick Peterson made a phenomenal play on the third one. Rex Ryan got so fed up he told Tony Sparano to tell Sanchez he was being benched. The problem was that Sanchez would lead a decent looking drive and then just completely lose it. It was frustrating to watch because every time you think he’s getting it together and gaining momentum he was either sacked or threw an interception. The special teams unit was a disappointment again as Nick Folk nailed his audition for the skills competition as both of his field goal attempts hit off the upright. On the Cardinals final drive of the first half they executed a 40-yard fake punt to set them up for a go-ahead field goal. Defense Pitches Near Shutout This section makes the game all-the-more embarrassing because of how well the defense played. If not for the special teams blunder and a turnover in field goal range, there might not even be six points on the board for Arizona. The Jets backed up my talk about Ryan Lindley not being a capable NFL quarterback and showed us why. The Jets defense played their best game of the season as they confused Lindley into an awful day passing: 10 out of 31 for 72 yards and an interception. The rookie quarterback couldn’t figure out the defense all afternoon as the Jets sent pressure and had solid coverage that forced the Cardinals into 0-15 on third down. The pass rush only managed two sacks but they did get a number of hits and hurries which forced numerous errant throws. Even the run defense stepped up and held the Cardinals to 81 yards on 21 carries, but remember, 40 of those yards came on just one carry (the fake punt). Speaking of good defense, Rex Ryan’s dream came true when Sanchez’s first two interceptions went to former-Jet Kerry Rhodes. The aspiring actor also forced a fumble that led to a field goal. Ryan called out Rhodes in his book, saying Rhodes had other “Hollywood” priorities, but I think the safety thoroughly enjoyed his homecoming even though his team lost. Playoff Chances If the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers could have notched a win, the Jets would be one game back of the six seed; however, the Steelers mounted an impressive comeback on the Ravens and Andy Dalton led the Bengals to a win over the Chargers. The Jets are now two games back of the Steelers and Bengals, who are tied for the last seed in the AFC, with only four games left to play. Remember, the Steelers have the tie-breaker over the Jets because of their head-to-head win earlier this season. It doesn’t look great but the Jets are certainly not out of it, especially with games against Jacksonville, the Tennessee Titans, San Diego, and the Buffalo Bills the rest of the way. Rodgers That   Follow Dan Rodgers on Twitter: @dhrodgers52 Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com