Jets Can’t Complete 2nd-Half Comeback, Fall to Chargers
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – LaDainian Tomlinson and his Chargers teammates watched the Jets get one final chance to pull out an improbable victory. One thought must have crossed their minds: ‘Oh no. Not again.’
No matter that Tomlinson was dazzling, with a career high four touchdowns and one particularly impressive move that left Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law frozen in his tracks. Drew Brees fumbled with 3:06 to go, and a surprisingly effective Brooks Bollinger had 30 yards to lead the Jets to the winning score.
This was all too much for the Chargers, whose four losses all came in the closing minutes. But Quentin Jammer rescued San Diego when he batted down a fade pass for Justin McCareins on fourth-and-goal, preserving a 31-26 victory yesterday.
Tomlinson scored on three runs and one catch, becoming the first Charger since Chuck Muncie against Denver on November 29, 1981, to have four touchdowns in one game.
Heading into the contest, Tomlinson had the same number of touchdown passes (three) as Jets quarterbacks. Bollinger changed all that with a furious charge. Vinny Testaverde’s right calf tightened up, so Bollinger replaced him in the third quarter, then threw two touchdown passes to make it a game.
Laveranues Coles made a beautiful play on the second one, barely keeping his toes inbounds for the 8-yard score with 6:44 to play. The scoring passes were the first through the air for the Jets (2-6) since Week 2 against Miami.
Then John Abraham sacked Brees and forced a fumble, which Jonathan Vilma recovered. But the Jets failed on four attempts from the 3, and their disappointing season continued.
Tomlinson, who finished with 25 carries for 107 yards, staked the Chargers to a 21-10 halftime lead. On his 25-yard touchdown reception, Tomlinson took a short pass from Brees and juked Law so badly, Law seemed to freeze in place.
The Jets defense decided to play in the second half. Brees, who was 20-of-27 for 270 yards, was held to 55 yards in the half, and the Chargers had 114 total yards and eight first downs. Meanwhile, Bollinger put together an inspired effort, going 11-of-20 for 106 yards.
“All you can ask is to have the ball in your hands with a chance to win the game,” Bollinger said. “I did, we did – I just didn’t get it done.”
Curtis Martin had 21 carries for 72 yards and became the 16th player in NFL history to score 100 touchdowns, when he reached the mark with a 1-yard scoring run early in the second quarter.
Reciever Wayne Chrebet sustained a concussion, at least the ninth in his college and pro career.