Playoff Bound Jets Win Final NFL Game at Giants Stadium
The NY Jets hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in the last game to ever be played at Giants Stadium this past Sunday night. It can now be said that the Bengals have never won a game in the old stadium and most certainly never will. It can also be said thankfully that the Jets will never play another game in Giants Stadium either. As a fan of a team that has not had their own home 
for the past twenty five years I understand the importance of being able to have your own building. The Jets really have not had an identity or foundation to build on over the years practicing in Long Island and playing in New Jersey. A new stadium will definitely help as has the new practice facility in Florham Park.
As for Sunday night, from offensive mishaps to poor defense, the bottom line is that the Bengals didn’t show up. Much can be said as to whether the absence and injuries of key players in the game had a significant impact on the win for the Jets, however, Bengals coaching staff and players alike, acknowledged that they were simply outplayed. Luckily for them, it is a rare instance in the National Football League that two teams are scheduled to a rematch leading into the playoffs just a week apart. They have a chance to suit up and turn it all around on their own home turf in Cincinnati.
After the game, Bengals Coach, Marvin Lewis, was quoted saying that the team is “blessed to have this opportunity”. Bengals wide receiver, Chad Ochosinco, also sees the rematch as a positive opportunity. Despite his knee injury late in the game, he says, “There isn’t much more they can do. There is no trickery they can add to their game plan. We know their offensive and defensive scheme. It just comes down to executing the plays”. Let’s see if he can shake Darrell Revis Saturday. I doubt it as Revis has been ridiculously good this year.
Even so, if the way the Bengals played last night showed any inkling as to how they will play next Saturday; the Jets need not to worry. Essentially, no matter how you spin it, the shutout gave the Jets a massive boost of confidence for their next opponent which just so happens to be the Bengals. The Bengals, who hadn’t been shutout since Dec. 23, 2001 (in a game against the Baltimore Ravens), also ended up setting a new club record of 72 yards for the least amount of yards gained within a single game.
Knowing it could go both ways, I will be anxiously taking my place in the stands at Paul Brown Stadium next Saturday in Cincinnati for the AFC Wild Card Round. This very stadium, which is often referred to as “The Jungle” by Bengal fans, is actually a clean slate for the New York Jets who will be making their first playoff appearance since 2006. As far as most Jets fans are concerned, all that happened in the regular season is irrelevant up to this point. They’ve made it to the playoffs where every team’s record is sitting pretty at 0-0. The Jets have big aspirations and aim to prove that they are worthy contenders while the Bengals are looking to make up for the travesty that occurred late Sunday night.
That being said, I intend to make the most of my stay in Cincinnati but hopefully won’t be coming home without some Cincinnati style chili from Skyline and a big “W” for Team Gangreen. At games end, I will have either made my way to the Head First Sports Café to drown my sorrows with a cold beer or I’ll be feasting at the infamous Montgomery Inn to celebrate with some of “the greatest ribs in the U.S.A” as proclaimed by Cincinnati Red’s legend, Ken Griffey, Jr. I do love the Natti and have some good Bengal friend fans in the area so either way it will be a good time.
