Rex Ryan was pretty upset Thursday night. (Getty Images)
The Jets had the Patriots right where they wanted them. Third and goal from the 19-yard line, late in the game, trailing by one point. The Patriots couldn't run an excessively aggressive play or risk a turnover, especially when a field goal would put them up four points.
Naturally Tom Brady promptly scrambled and found Danny Amendola in the end zone for his best catch since New England signed him in free agency two years ago.
Asked after the game -- a 27-25 win for the Pats -- what Antonio Allen could have done differently in defending Amendola's inside-out moves, Rex had nothing, because, he said, Amendola ran "the greatest route in the history of the game."
"No, I don't know, I have no idea -- just the greatest route in the history of the game," Ryan said. "I think we were shocked that he would run a route to the goal line."
First, it's usually a good idea to watch out for goal-line routes on, you know, goal-to-go situations. Second, there is probably some sarcasm involved here. Third, this may or may not also be a touch of hyperbole from Rex, who admitted this was his most "agitated" press conference as a head coach yet.
It was a very nice route by Amendola, but it wasn't actually a planned route, more of designed response to Brady scrambling.
"Yeah, it was a big-time play that he made there. That was a great kind of ad lib," Brady said. "He ran a little return route and then when he saw me scramble, broke it up field like we talk about all the time and made a great catch."
The end result was Rex being very happy about the whole thing.
Watching Rex melt on the sidelines is amusing, but it's hard to blame him considering how much this changed the game. The Jets' ensuing touchdown would have given them a lead if they hold New England to a field goal there. Instead they needed two scores in a short amount of time and were only able to come up with one.
The line between 2-5 and 1-6 can be a fine one.
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It will all come down to pain management and tolerance for the most dominant tight end in the game (Sorry, Julius Thomas). His sprained right shoulder will make it painful to raise his arms above his head. He'll be able to do it, but it will hurt a lot. If he is given the thumbs-up on Sunday morning, he should still be slotted into all fantasy lineups.Mind over matter, Jimmy.
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