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Jets fizzle against Seahawks as playoff hopes dim

Dec 22, 2008 - 5:00 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The curtains on Broadway Brett and the New York Jets are appearing to close.

Maurice Morris ran for 116 yards and Seneca Wallace connected with John Carlson on a key second-quarter touchdown as the Seattle Seahawks plowed the Jets, 13-3, on Sunday.

With yet another deflating setback, the Jets (9-6) surrendered full control of their playoff hopes. In order to qualify, they must defeat the Miami Dolphins (10-5) at home and have the New England Patriots (10-5) or Baltimore Ravens (10-5) lose next Sunday.

"We had everything in front of us and we just didn't take care of business," Jets tackle Damien Woody said. "We don't have anybody to blame but ourselves."

For much of the season, New York maintained its position as a legitimate contender - especially after convincing victories over the New England and then-undefeated Tennessee.

However, Brett Favre and his fizzling team have dropped three of their last four, and looked every part of a team affected by the weather.

"The fact that we were playing the Jets, (Favre) was on the Jets, and it was snowing - it was like it was too much, it was unbelievable," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "He is one of the greatest competitors I have ever seen and been around. But like I said, I think our defense stepped up and did a great job."

Making up the lone big play of a contest hampered by snowy conditions, Wallace threw a fade pass after rolling out of the slot and Carlson hauled in the 2-yard scoring strike by out-jumping David Harris in the right corner of the end zone, giving Seattle a 7-3 advantage with 36 seconds remaining in the first half.

Olindo Mare converted a 31-yard field goal at the end of the third and a 38-yarder with 1:52 remaining in the game to secure the victory for the Seahawks (4-11).

Wallace finished 18-of-25 with 175 yards, and was not picked off.

Favre completed 18-of-31 attempts for 187 yards but threw two interceptions and failed to generate any momentum for a team that entered play leading the AFC in scoring with 27.5 points per game.

The Jets fell to 0-4 on the West Coast this season.

"We just didn't make the plays today. We didn't make plays at all," said Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who led all receivers with 81 yards on six receptions. "When it came down to situations for them to make plays, they made them, and when it came into tight situations for us to make plays we just didn't make them."

Jay Feely booted a 20-yarder with eight minutes left in the first on the Jets' first drive, which ended with a 4th-and-1 scenario on the Seahawks' 2.

"I anticipated the game being tight," Jets coach Eric Mangini said of going for the field goal rather than the first down. "And I thought at that point the important thing would be to get points."

Then their offense froze.

Feely was in line to bring the Jets within 10-6 with 13:22 left in the game, but his 45-yarder was called back on account of a delay-of-game penalty. Mangini then elected for his team to punt.

After another quick drive that culminated with a punt, Favre and Coles appeared to connect with time running down toward the two-minute warning while facing fourth-and-2 at their 20. Favre aired the ball out down the middle of the field, releasing from his 11 to about the Seattle 45. But Coles, who had a step in the double coverage, juggled the ball and Kelly Jennings swatted it away to end the final threat.

"I left a lot of plays out there that I should have had," Coles said. "A lot of blame should be pointed at me. Anytime I have an opportunity to make a play to let us win, I should do that."

"But again, there's no excuses. We came out here on the West Coast and we lost four games out here and it's very sad for us and disappointing. But we've still got a game to play and that's where our focus should be."

Having scored in seven of his previous eight games, Thomas Jones was repeatedly stuffed by Seattle's defensive unit and finished with just 67 yards on 17 carries.

Seattle lost two fumbles, but those did not translate into costly errors.

Following the conclusion of the game, Holmgren - Favre's former coach in Green Bay - took a victory lap around the field since he will be taking a sabbatical from football in 2009.

He received a warm ovation from the crowd, and even enjoyed having snowballs thrown in the air near him.

"That was something," Holmgren said. "That was the first time in my life I enjoyed having snowballs thrown at me."

"Today, in this atmosphere, with the weather the way it was, I couldn't be more proud of the football team. It was the best present they could give me for Christmas."