What a pair of games on Sunday.  The cinderella story J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS nearly knocked off the perfect-in-games-they-tried-to-win Colts and then the Saints and Vikings played an overtime classic.  Though the games were completely different, there was a common theme, turnovers.  Of course, not all turnovers are created equally.

1. Did he really just do that?  With a chance to win the game and reach SB XLIV with a field goal, The F-Word threw an interception.  But it wasn’t just an interception, but a back-across-the-body throw that QBs are taught not to make…IN HIGH SCHOOL!!!  He could’ve thrown a short pass to Bernard Berrian.  He could’ve run.  But The F-Word did what he’s done his whole career, he gambled.  And this time, he lost big time.
2. Maybe they needed footballs with handles.  The F-Word never should’ve been in the position to make the ultimate mistake.  But because the Vikings treated the pigskin like a greased pig, he was.  Twice Minnesota coughed it up as they were about to go in for a score and a third time they fumbled it away deep in their own territory to give the Saints an easy touchdown.  It’s not a stretch to think if the Vikings just held onto the football they would be headed to Miami.
3. AP would’ve been the MVP.  Officially, he wasn’t credited with losing any fumbles.  But Adrian Peterson’s struggle to keep possession overshadowed his brilliant 122-yard, three-touchdown day.  In fact, though he tied a conference championship record with three rushing touchdowns, he was benched for a good portion of the second half.  It’s scary to imagine the numbers he would’ve put up if he didn’t put the ball on the ground.  But I guess it was too terrifying for the Vikings to give him the chance.  
4. Sometimes a turnover can turn the game around for you.  A team never purposely gives the ball away.  But the Colts are happy about the one time they did.  Because after Joseph Addai fumbled with Indianapolis down 14-6, the defense held the Jets to a field goal, then the offense raced down the field and scored quickly to trim the deficit to 17-13 at half.  The momentum had swung to the team that had fumbled.  Odd that would be the case, but maybe not, because…
5. It also changed their offensive gameplan.  Prio to the Addai fumble, the Colts had a balanced offense, 14 runs and 14 passes.  After it, the Colts threw the ball 23 of their next 28 plays and wracked up 199 yards and three TD passes in four possessions.  Apparently, the turnover reminded Indianapolis they are a passing offense that can beat any defense.
6. Rex Ryan morphed into Norv Turner.  I couldn’t finish today’s blog without attacking a single coach.  Ryan did a great job of getting his team in position to reach the Super Bowl.  But in the second half, he decided risks his team took on offense to build an 11-point lead weren’t a good idea anymore.  The Jets scored touchdowns when they threw the ball deep down the field.  After halftime, they attempted just two deep passes, one on a busted play.  Even worse, with the team down 30-17 with eight minutes left, he had them punt on 4th and 5 from their own 25.  You’re down two scores against a team you can’t stop and you willingly give the ball back?  Sorry, that doesn’t cut it in my back.  PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!

-Jake Stevens

THERE IT IS!

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