17
Jan
2010
Nate Kaeding forgets how to kick, Jets stun Chargers (video)
By ArtieFufkin
Nate Kaeding misses his third FG attempt of the day. The Chargers lost by 3. You do the math. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi via ESPN.com)
The New York Jets shocked the heavily favored San Diego Chargers 17-14 to advance in the AFC Playoffs today. The Jets scored two 4th quarter touchdowns to pull away down the stretch, but the big story of the game was Chargers Pro Bowl K Nate Kaeding, who missed 3 Field Goal attempts that would have won the game for San Diego. Normally one of the most reliable kickers in the league, Kaeding was clearly paid off by NY mobsters to throw the game.
The Chargers seemed to be in control of this defensive struggle for most of the game, but that changed late in the 3rd quarter, when Jets’ super-CB Darrelle Revis made this incredible interception of a Philip Rivers pass intended for Vincent Jackson (Nantz and Simms had no idea what was going on):
That’s when things got interesting.
The Rex Ryan magic continued for the Jets, who again got big performances from two rookies in leading NY to their first AFC appearance since 1998. Following another INT of a Rivers pass, Mark Sanchez threw a 2-yard score to Dustin Keller to give NY a 10-7 lead, and then Shonn Greene broke free for this 53-yard score that sealed the win:
The Jets seem to have luck on their side this post-season, because let’s face it: if Kaeding does his job, they lose. We’ll have to see if NY can capitalize on their good fortune and carry this momentum into next week against the Colts.
Kaeding, Kaeding, Kaeding. Choking the last time we lost to the jets in a playoff game was a bummer, but he’s been super reliable this year. Choking one time this game – well, ok, let’s move on. But 3 times? That’s not an error, that’s evidence.
don’t know if you were speaking in jest, but the thought of a pay-off definitely crossed my mind by the second missed field goal under 40 yards. not impossible, but highly improbably. or, it could just be the socal curse striking again.
Sweet… Payoff… That is awesome… If Rex Ryan and his father were not so disliked by the NFL establishment, I might actually give that thought some real consideration. But any Jet fan who thinks back to the last time these 2 teams met in the playoffs remembers that it was none other than Nate Kaeding who bailed the Jets out. I don’t know what kind of hocus pocus the Jets and Ryan have over opposition place kickers but they have missed 5 field goals in 2 playoff games against Gang Green. I am not sure luck or a potential payoff fully explains how badly the Bengals and Chargers have played against the Jets. Maybe it is time to start giving Ryan’s defense a little credit too.
All I know is the Patriots, Giants, Cowboys, and all their fans can now all watch the Jets in the Final Four for the first time in over a decade. Certainly the Pats and Giants know what that feels like… the Cowboys… well let’s just say as long as it has been for the Jets, they will have made the conference championship game twice since the last time America’s team accomplished that feat. That’s right Cowboy fans as bad as the Jets have been, they still have 4 more playoff wins in the last 12 seasons than Dallas.
I was mostly joking about Kaeding being bought off, but he’s the most accurate kicker in the NFL, so it’s almost unfathomable that would miss THREE times in one game. I mean, entering the playoffs, Kaeding had hit 20 straight regular season FGs, and 69 straight FGs inside of 40 yards (an NFL record). I’ll let him slide on the 57-yarder at the end of the first half, but how does he miss both a 34 and 40-yarder with the playoffs on the line?!?
I think you may be right, John. I think Rex is doing some sort of Voodoo on opposing kickers. And yeah, his defense is pretty good too.
Bleacher Report has a decent slideshow on the biggest kicking meltdowns in playoff history.
I’ll never forget Trey Junkin. That sonofabitch.
Game could have been thrown a lot of ways–look at all the miscues the Bolts had–fumbles, pics, questionable play selection