Send Caldwell Some Flowers...Seriously

I make it my business not to listen to football pundits around playoff time. I'm of the firm belief that if you can't win your way in, you don't deserve to be there.

So I watched while they talked about who all need to lose in order for the Jets to be able to take their playoff future into their own hands, and I laughed it off. Miami needed to lose to Houston, which was doable-since Miami has never beaten Houston, and Pittsburgh had to beat Baltimore, minus Troy Polamalu's hair. Since the Raven's needed to win this game, and have the Jaguars lose to get in, I just figured there was no way, and hoped the Jets would at least keep it respectable and not be blown all the way out by Pey Pey and co.

That was around 12:30. By 4:45 I was praying. HARD. The Dolphins had lost. The Steelers had won, and the Jets would be able to win their own way into the playoffs. Ugh. Only one problem. They seemed to be leaving Pey Pey in the game.

The Jets kept it close, and actually ran the ball, and went into the locker room at halftime only down 9-3, after blocking a PAT. The defense bent but didn't break. Maybe there would be something to this right?

They came out of the locker room fired up, and on a 106 yard kickoff return, Brad Smith got the Jets the lead. Granted, it was one point, but how many people expected the Jets to lead at all in this game while the main guys were still in it?

Of course Manning and co. came out and picked the defense apart for a touchdown, but they failed on a two point conversion, and it all got extra hairy from there.

The Colts' best starters on offense and defense were pulled from the game. I get it, you want to be healthy for the playoffs, but there is a small part of me that wanted them to stay in. Just to see. The Jets scored again-on a fumble recovery. Added a field goal, a touchdown from Thomas Jones, and converted for two points twice.

They didn't turn the ball over-and when it was all said and done, the Jets walked off the field winners. 26-19, and truly in control of their own destiny.

Of course next week, the Bengals will be playing to jump up to the number 3 seed-since they've already clinched their division. The Jets will be closing out their time at that hell hole of a stadium over in the Meadowlands, and playing for a wild card berth.

I can't wait. This was a much better gift than I could ever have gotten in real life. I just hope the Jets make the most of it.