After a shocking 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the feeling surrounding the New York Jets is mixture of relief and even joy. Not only did they avoid becoming just the third team to finish with a winless record in a 16-game season, but they also beat a team in contention for the playoffs that led the NFC West entering the game.
The mood among their fans, however, is a little different, as the win also meant moving down a spot in the order for next year’s NFL Draft and missing out on a chance to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is widely expected to be the first overall pick.
That mixture of regret and outrage was captured perfectly by New York tabloids, which reported the Jets’ win in a way only they could.
Here's our updated @nydnsports back page. @nyjets @RamsNFL @nfl @nflnetwork @apse_sportmedia @giants @Trevorlawrencee https://t.co/dJaeN7YpkC pic.twitter.com/iErL9g9ymb
— Back Page Guy NYDN (@BackPageGuyNYDN) December 21, 2020
The back page of The New York Daily News Sports compared the Jets to the Grinch because of their green uniforms. But while the fictional character by Dr. Seuss stole Christmas, the Jets stole the team’s chance of drafting a potential franchise quarterback in Lawrence.
The @nypost: pic.twitter.com/Pqo5dmEm2j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2020
The New York Post, meanwhile, used their headline to refer to Lawrence Welk, who hosted a musical variety show called “The Lawrence Welk Show” that aired from 1951 until 1982. According to Sports Illustrated, “A won and a boo-hoo” is a pun on “a one and a two,” which is how Welk, who was also a bandleader, counted off before performing a song.
The Jets and their supporters may be divided on how to feel about their stunning victory over the Rams, but what is evident is that New York tabloids can always be counted on for creative headlines whenever a sports team in their city does something memorable, whether it is the good or the bad kind.