New Orleans Saints vs New York Jets
1 2 3 4 FINAL
NEW ORLEANS 3 7 0 7 17
NEW YORK 6 10 7 6 29
MINNEAPOLIS – For the team that always finds themselves playing second fiddle in their own stadium to the New York Giants, the New York Jets are now kings of the NFL after their emphatic 29-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl LII.
All season long, the team battled adversity via injury, special teams woes, and player contract negotiation issues. But all that was forgotten as the confetti fell over the team from Gotham City.
"Such an amazing feeling," Earl Thomas said. "This one has to be the sweetest, to bring a ring to our Jets fans."
Thomas, who was named the Super Bowl MVP on the strength of his two interception performance, dominated the seams, taking All Pro Delanie Walker out of the Saints gameplan.
"We went to the well too many times," Marcus Mariota said. "They scouted us well and we were outplayed."
The Jets started the season as favorites to reach the Super Bowl, but had to grind throughout. This game played out similarly to the entire Jets season as the drama unfolded early in the 4th quarter.
With 9:22 remaining in the 4th and the team holding a 23-10 lead, the Jets were on the doorstep of an easy Super Bowl finish.
On 3rd-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Derek Carr dropped back to pass and aimed to hit a wide open receiver for what should have been the game-ending touchdown pass. Instead, a poorly thrown slant was turned around 102 yards for a score to put the game at 23-17 and the game very much in doubt.
"I can't make that mistake," Carr said. "I had him, just made a bad throw."
After a pair of punts by both teams, Carr led his squad down the field for the eventual game winning TD.
"We (offense) get all the credit when we score," Carr said. "But this game was all about the collective effort of our defense."
The Jets defense, led by Thomas, Kam Chancellor (the AFC Championship MVP), and Aaron Donald, caused five Saints turnovers and only gave up 10 points on their own (both off of good field position caused by Jets turnovers).
With salary cap issues aplenty, this New York Jets team will certainly look different in 2018.
But, no matter where some of the key players end up, they will forever be remembered as Super Bowl LII Champions.
