All days are scary for Jets fans!
Any Jets fan who has been following the team since 2011 would be forgiven for being scared 24/7, 365 days a year, not just on All Hallows’ Eve.
This past week I had to deal with the extreme personal disappointment of having to cancel a trip to New York owing to a medical issue that at this stage makes flying too risky.
Having missed a trip to Foxboro’ last Sunday, the cancellation appeared to be somewhat a blessing in disguise.
Losing to the Patriots is something fans have become accustomed to, but the reversal of expectations amongst the two fanbases for the first time in two decades meant the Week 8 defeat was a crushing disappointment, especially given the manner of the loss and the extension of the current skid to five games.
Fast forward to fright night, and the Jets tepid offense continued to provide the proverbial nightmares it has whipped up in its cauldron of horrors over the past five weeks, the half time score providing further evidence of the blessing at missing out on a first ever trip to MetLife for yours truly.
What happened in that locker room at half time on Thursday, we will never know. But the spell put on this team by Jeff Ulbrich or Aaron Rodgers absolutely did the trick, as the Jets provided the fans baying for ownership’s blood with a second half treat.
Finally, the Jets delivered across all three phases in the same game. Rodgers played with poise, and the O-line provided just enough time for him to weave his magic.
Olu Fashanu stepping in at guard, a position he has never played, was particularly pleasing.
Jalen Pitre might still be looking for Davante Adams by the time pumpkins and candy corn are long forgotten, and Turkey and mashed potatoes are being served to the nation.
But let me reserve a paragraph for the sorcery of Garrett Wilson – a catch that will be shown on highlight reels until the zombie apocalypse.
An enchanted moment provided to Jets fans who have seen enough skeletons in the closet during the longest playoff drought in the four major sports.
A spellbinding performance that will once again have the Jets fans in a frenzy about playoff chances, however slim they may still be.
Watching the Week 9 Sunday Redzone slate having already seen this team take care of business on Thursday night is as calming as it is refreshing.
But inevitably it will have the fans of Gang Green looking ahead with some positivity.
With the ‘easiest’ remaining strength of schedule in the AFC, Greg ‘The Leg’ Zuerlein now banished to IR – Immediately Retired I hope – after costing this team three games, and with AR8 managing a cayenne pepper induced smile – you never know what could happen.
So you’re telling me there’s a chance? I said I would not get sucked in again, but yet here I am!
And on a serious note, I am getting the medical care I need and hope to be well and fit to fly again very soon!
Story originally by former writer Matt Cullen.
