A decision with 12 minutes left to go in the game Monday night nearly cost Rex Ryan and the Jets dearly.
The Jets took a 26-14 lead over the Falcons on Kellen Winslow’s 1-yard touchdown reception from Geno Smith. Ryan was then faced with a decision of whether to go for the two-point conversion to take a two-touchdown lead or just kick the extra point.
Ryan opted for the one point, but when the Falcons took a 28-27 lead with 1:54 left he questioned his call.
“Yeah, when they went ahead by a point,” Ryan said jokingly of when he thought of going for two. “That is when it dawned on me. Really at that stage we were thinking about it. But I was like, you know what? It’s still too early in the fourth quarter, so let’s just take the one because a lot of things can happen. When they scored, I was like ‘oh, gosh I should have gone for two.’ That’s with hindsight.”
It all worked out for Ryan and the Jets when Smith marched them down the field in the final minutes to set up Nick Folk’s 43-yard, game-winning field goal. But if the Jets had lost, Ryan would have been roasted for going for the extra point.
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The Jets made a lineup change on defense, starting Jaiquawn Jarrett at safety in place of Antonio Allen. Backup Josh Bush also played more than Allen. But Ryan said it was based on matchups and not because of Allen’s play.
“I told you we’re going to use our roster,” Ryan said. “We’ll use our roster. If we think we have a certain matchup, we’ll use it. Don’t think that means we think any less of Antonio Allen. In fact, it’s just the opposite. I’m sure he’ll be the starter this week. We have some good players and we’re going to use them.”
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Ryan admitted he was surprised when Falcons coach Mike Smith went for the touchdown at the end of the first half instead of the field goal.
“Yes. I was surprised,” Ryan said. “I thought we’re pretty stout up there. I was surprised that they didn’t go with the points. But Mike Smith knows his football team and who am I? I’m not questioning the move but you asked me a question and I was a little surprised.”
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The Steelers are a team whose fans usually fill up the Meadowlands when they come to town. Ryan gave the fans a plea to keep the Steelers fans out: “My shout out to the fans is let’s not see a whole lot of black and gold out there if we can avoid it.” … OLB Antwan Barnes is not believed to have a serious knee injury, according to a source. He left Monday’s game in the fourth quarter.