NFL: Crash Landing!

What a difference a week makes.

Last week, the Jets' Curtis Martin had a career day, as he sliced through the Colts defense, rushing for over 200 yards to lead the Jets to a 27-17 victory. Last weekend, with a chance to clinch a playoff birth, in front of a national television audience, and over 62,000 fans in Oakland, the Jets were held as a team to a lowly 10 yards rushing, in a crushing 31-7 defeat.

The loss was not only a major blow to New York’s playoff hopes, but also put Vinny Testerverde’s immediate status as their starting quarterback in jeopardy, while he nurses a groin injury that sent him to the sidelines during the game.

"This is the worst we've played all year, in my opinion, and probably since I’ve been here," Curtis Martin, who was held to just to just 11 yards on 17 carries a week after his best day as a pro, said.

The Jets performance was pitiful. A poor performance by the Jets offensive line, dropped balls, penalties, and injuries to key players and crucial Jet mistakes that Oakland capitalized on, all lead to the Jets demise.

New York was held to just 310 total yards, while Vinny Testerverde continued his erratic season as the Jets field general throwing two more interceptions giving him 20 on the year. The first of his interceptions bounced off the normally reliable hands of Richie Anderson into the hands of Eric Allen, who 50 yards later dashed into the endzone to give the Raiders the lead. The lead was one that the Raiders never looked back on.

"The Raiders are very good," Testaverde said. "They seem to be able to stop the run, the pass, create turnovers and get in great position."

Meanwhile, the injury to Testerverde is a major concern to the Jets, especially after understudy Ray Lucas was ineffective after spelling Testerverde throwing two interceptions on the night.

"We'll treat it and hopefully get ready for next week. I don't anticipate any setbacks," Testerverde said.

The Jets also lost Rick Lyle, who was one of the teams’ key defensive players for the season, after he broke his leg when he tripped running back Napolean Kaufman. With the victory the Raiders clinched their first playoff birth since 1993, and will make their first playoff appearance representing Oakland since 1980.

"It makes a difference when you don't sneak in the door but you kick the door down," receiver Tim Brown said after the victory.

Rich Gannon continued his MVP caliber season, as he was 11-of-23 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Gannon threw TD strikes to Andre Rison to give the Raiders a 14-0 lead and helped ice the game with a late touchdown toss to Tim Brown to give Oakland a 31-0 lead.

The Jets lone bright spot may have been rookie Chad Pennington, who threw his first career touchdown pass when he hooked up with Wayne Chrebet with under a minute to play, driving the Jets 69 yards to break up Oakland’s bid for a shut out.

The Jets remained one game behind the Dolphins, who lost to Tampa for the AFC East division lead. The Jets next face Detroit on Sunday. The game will have major playoff ramifications.