Darrelle Revis claimed to have never heard of Victor Cruz. Then, a wide young recipient ensures that he will never be forgotten.
The talks come a few days before the Giants and Jets face off in their most meaningful meeting, on December 24, 2011. The Giants are 7-7 and have missed the previous two playoffs. Jet is 8-6 and has reached two previous AFC Championship matches. For each team, Week 16 victory is basically a prerequisite for the postseason.
Nearing halftime, the Jets took the lead, 7-3, and had the Giants embed their own 1-yard line. That’s 3rd and 10th. Eli Manning fell back to the final zone and connected with Cruz. It looks like it will only be the first behind the chain. Then, Cruz juked between Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson and exploded on the field for a 99-yard touchdown, prompting the Giants to win 29-14.
“I think that has changed a lot,” Cruz said after winning. “We didn’t move the ball very well at the start of the match and we needed a big game to change the momentum of the game. I’m glad I can do that for my team. “
The momentum lasted more than a month. The Giants will not lose again that season, ending with a second Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. The Jets haven’t made a playoff since then.
Victor Cruz ran towards goal to make a 99-yard touchdown against the JetsCharles Wenzelberg / New York Post
When the season began, Cruz never recorded catches in the NFL. But UMass recipients who did not have a contract found an opportunity after Steve Smith’s departure and injury to Mario Manningham. Cruz’s place was cemented after recording 110 yard receipts and three goals in Week 3 victory in Philadelphia.
The runaway star then decides one of the most important plays in Giants history, sparking thousands of “Cruuuuuuz” songs and salsa dances from New Jersey natives.
“We have some problems with our receiver corps and I think he is the only person who can give us such a game and he of course gives us such a game,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “We all got an incredible ride when he went from coast to coast.”
The Jets had a fight before the team met in the regular season for the first time in four years. Revis made derogatory comments. Rex Ryan said the Jets had been a better team for three years. Jet is also the home team, choosing to cover up the Giants signs and pictures at the MetLife Stadium.
Tom Coughlin responded with his favorite sentence – “Talk is cheap. Play the game “- and immediately justified.
“They are a better team today, and they are a better team this year,” Ryan said. “Obviously, I was wrong.”
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs made sure Ryan knew that during the post-match debate.
“I told him I would punch him in the face,” Jacobs said. “They have big mouthed coaches, big mouths and big coaches who talk too much and now it’s finally time to shut up.”
The noise will eventually fade. The most important regular seasonal catch in Giants history will remain for all time.
“This is crazy,” Cruz said. “Just where I came from and through what I went through, it was only real for me. I’m just glad my teammates are behind me and my coach believes in me. “
