The New York Jets (8-7) pulled off something no other NFL team has been able to do in the 2009 NFL football season - they beat the Indianapolis Colts (14-1). The win gives the Jets control of their own destiny and can earn a wild-card berth with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

Before the day began, the Jets AFC playoff picture looked dim. The best case scenario was the Dolphins, Ravens and Jaguars each lose in in the early games and then take care of business in the late afternoon by beating the Colts. By evening, the best Jets playoff picture scenario happened. Maybe it was a late Christmas present from the football gods.

Others may think differently. They might attribute the Jets win to the fact that the Colts coaching staff sat QB Peyton Manning and most of the Indianapolis starters for most of the second half. Regardless, after the first quarter, the Jets stayed right with the Colts in the first half, then dominated the second.

The Jets actually got points from the offense, defense and special teams:

Jets Scoring

• Offense Thomas Jones RB 1 yard run in 3rd quarter
• Defense Marques Douglas DE 1 yard fumble return in 3rd quarter
• Special Teams Brad Smith WR 106 yard kickoff return
• Special Teams Jay Feeley (PK) 2 for 2 in field goal attempts

If you think the Jets don’t belong in the AFC playoff race consider this fact:
The Jets are the first team since the merger of the AFC and NFC (1970) to have the #1 defense and #1 rushing offense in the same season. Their win today reflects this stat . The Jets rushed for 202 yards and the Colts, 64.

Week 16 of the NFL season will clear up the AFC playoff picture.  If the Jets win, their appearance in the AFC playoffs is assured.

source: nfl.com

The New York Giants beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on an 18 yard fumble return on the final play of their Monday night NFL pre-season scrimmage at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford.

With 10 seconds left and the ball on the Panthers own 18 yard line, fourth-string quarterback Hunter Cantwell went back to pass and was hit in the arm by Giants Defensive Tackle Leger Douzable. The ball went into the air and NY Giant defensive end Tommie Hill grabbed it and ran it back for a touchdown.

Cantwell had tied the game with 57 seconds left on a five-play drive that ended with a 31-yard TD pass to Jason Cherry and a 2-point conversion pass to Andrew Davie.

The Giants got the ball back but the Panthers defense held them to a three-and-out series. Jeff Feagles then punted it away, setting up the bizarre game-ending play.

“Everybody figured on defense they would take a knee,” Douzable said. “When they snapped it, I put a move on the guard. I saw the quarterback with the ball in his hand and I got it.”

“Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it,” Panthers coach John Fox said.

The Giants had led almost the entire game, scoring on a 19-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw, a 36-yard screen pass from David Carr to halfback Danny Ware and a 46-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes.

Eli Manning played only two series but was happy with the running game and defensive play of the Giants, who forced 5 Panthers turnovers.

The Carolina Panthers play their next 2009 NFL pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, August 22, 2009 @ 7:30 pm EST in Florida.

Eli Manning and the New York Giants head to Chicago next Saturday, where they take on the Bears in their next 2009 NFL pre-season. Gametime is 8:00 pm EST.

source: espn