Although there are two NFL franchises located in New York City, a Giants-Jets matchup only occurs once every four years in the regular season. The two New York squads faced off on Sunday, with the Jets edging the Giants in overtime 23-20. It was another heartbreaking loss for the G-Men, as they blew yet another fourth quarter lead. They led 20-10 entering the fourth, but couldn’t contain Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense.
Also, Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin made a questionable call in trying to convert the first down on fourth down with nine minutes left in the game. The Giants’ offense had the ball on the four-yard line, and Coughlin opted to go for it rather than take an easy field goal and increase their lead 23-10.
It was the wrong decision, as Giants QB Eli Manning was intercepted by Jets safety Rontez Miles. On the ensuing drive, the Jets hit a field goal to cut the deficit to seven. On the Jets final drive of regulation, Fitzpatrick hit his favorite target wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a nine-yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 20.
In OT after Jets kicker Randy Bullock hit his third field goal of the day, Giants kicker Josh Brown was the Giants last hope in continuing OT. He failed to do so, as he missed a 48-yard attempt and the comeback was complete for the Jets. It was Brown’s first miss of the season. For the Jets (7-5), Fitzpatrick played his best game as a Jet. He threw for 390 yards with two TDs, completing 36 of 50 passes.
Marshall finished with 12 catches for 131 yards and a TD that forced the game into OT. He also surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season for four different teams. And for the Giants (5-7), they did not get a good performance from Manning. He completed 18 of 34 pass attempts for 297 yards, one TD and one interception. However, WR Odell Beckham, Jr. was one of the lone bright spots. He had six catches for 149 yards, including an impressive one-handed snag and a 72-yard TD in which he displayed his unbelievable breakaway speed.
The Patriots have suffered their first losing streak of the season, as they were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles 35-28. The Eagles received game-changing plays from their special teams and defense. Linebacker Najee Goode scooped up a blocked punt and took it to the house for the Eagles. Darren Sproles had an 83-yard punt return for a TD.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins picked off QB Tom Brady and returned it 99 yards for the score. This game had to be the biggest upset of the weekend, as the Eagles (5-7) forced their way into a three-way tie into first place of the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and the Giants.
Brady was intercepted twice, but nearly led the Pats to a comeback. But the Eagles defense held their ground. Brady finished with 312 yards, four TDs (one rushing) and two picks. The loss dropped the Pats’ record to 10-2, and they are now tied with the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals for the top seed in the AFC after previously being solely in first.
QB Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers survived a near upset to remain perfect, winning 41-38 against the New Orleans Saints. At 12-0, they’re the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL. It will be interesting to see whether the Panthers do go undefeated like the 2007 Pats. Certainly, the final quarter of the regular season will bring a lot of excitement for fans to say the least.
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