Jets, Birthdays and Shabbos
If history is any guide, the Jets will win tomorrow against Pittsburgh.
Tomorrow, January 15, is my birthday. And the Jets are undefeated on my birthday.
The only time the Jets have played on January 15 was 22 years ago, on January 15, 1983, my tenth birthday. Like this season, the Jets entered the playoffs that year needing three road victories to reach the Super Bowl. After annihilating the Cincinnati Bengals in the wildcard matchup, the Jets faced the team with the best record in the NFL, the Raiders. The Jets were heavy underdogs, but in one of the greatest victories in their history, the Jets won it 17-14, thanks to two touchdown receptions by Wesley Walker and two heroic late fourth quarter interceptions by Lance Mehl, a great Jet who is underappreciated by many of today's Jets fans.
Like tomorrow's game, the Jets vs. Raiders game was a road game against the top seed in the second round, and was a game that began on shabbos. Prior to last week's victory over San Diego, it also was the Jets' last road victory in the playoffs.
If my memory is accurate, the Jets have played five playoff games that started on shabbos, and are 2-3 in those games. In December 1969, the Jets lost at Shea Stadium to the Chiefs (the Super Bowl was won by the '68 Jets on January 12, 1969); next was the victory over the Raiders; then the '85 Jets lost a wildcard game at Giants Stadium to New England; next was the awful collapse against the Browns in January 1987 when the Jets took a 20-10 lead with four minutes to go but somehow blew it, thanks in part to two Mark Gastineau 15 yard penalties; finally, two years ago, the Jets crushed the Colts 41-0 at home.
After consecutive overtime games on the road, at this point in the season the Jets defense is very tired. In contrast, the Steelers are refreshed after a bye week. It won't be an easy game to win. Hopefully the Jets will pleasantly surprise me when I am able to turn on the TV around halftime.
posted on 1/14/2005
