By Jason Lockhart
If you couldn’t be at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night for the Jets’ 28-21 playoff upset of the top-seeded Patriots, the next best place was Sona Thirteen in Morristown.
“There were no Patriots fans here, which was a huge plus,” said Sona Thirteen bartender Matt Goldsmith. “When Jets fans did the J-E-T-S cheer, it felt like I was at The Meadowlands.”
Bartenders couldn’t hear themselves talk as the Jets gathered momentum in the first half. The defense sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady three times in the first half, and running back LaDainian Tomlinson and wide receiver Braylon Edwards scored touchdowns to put Gang Green up 14-3 at halftime.
Every big play by the Jets was greeted by $4 shots and toasts by boisterous fans.
“I don’t even know how many Gang Green shots we sold,” said Kate Cullinane, a Sona Thirteen bartender who wore her Jets t-shirt for the big game. “I guess like 100?”
Other specials included $2 Miller Light drafts, $3 Jager shots, and $5 meals. Morris Township local Mike Maldony took Jager shots for every fourth down stop the Jets made.
“This was the only bar I knew that was doing these specials,” Maldony said. “I decided to bring my date here and we had a great time.”
It was frigid outside, but things were cooking inside Sona Thirteen as fans watched the Jets eliminate their arch-rivals on multiple flat screens.
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Gillete Stadium in Foxboro, MA.
“I’m at a loss of words. It was an unbelievable win for our team,” Tomlinson, who rushed for 43 yards and a TD, said in the post-game interview on SportsNet New York. “We’re going to do what’s necessary to win whether it’s running the ball or catching it.”
The Jets (13-5) played error-free football, and gave Sanchez good protection in the pocket all night. The biggest play by the second-year quarterback was a 58-yard pass in the fourth quarter to wide receiver Jerricho Crotchery, who made five grabs for 96 yards on the night. The long pass set up a seven-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
Things quieted down at Sona Thirteen in the third quarter, when Brady led the Patriots on an 80-yard touchdown drive. Tight end Alge Crumpler caught a two-yard pass, followed by the Patriots’ two-point conversion that cut the Jets’ lead to 14-11.
But the Patriots (14-3) found themselves in a panic mode after Jets running back Shonn Green rushed for a 16-yard score to put the Jets up 28-14 with 1:41 left in the game. Green finished with 76 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The Patriots’ hurry-up offense registered a quick 59-yard touchdown drive — culminating with Brady’s 13-yard throw to wide receiver Deion Branch–to narrow the gap to 28-21 with 0:24 on the clock. Brady totaled 299 passing yards with two touchdown passes and one interception.
A failed onside kick by the Patriots ended chances for a miracle comeback. As fans at Sona Thirteen celebrated with more drinks, Jets receiver Braylon Edwards celebrated with back flips on the field.
“I was proud of our effort and the offensive line did a heck of a job,” said Sanchez, who praised the offensive line. “It was great effort by all of us.”
The Jets will travel to Pittsburgh for next Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Steelers. The Jets beat the Steelers 22-17 on Dec. 19. Jets linebacker Bart Scott is confident Gang Green can advance to its first Super Bowl in 42 years.
“It’s not about the Steelers, it’s about us,” said the 6-2, 242-pound player. “We believe we can match up against anybody!”
