No Points for Style, but Jets Make Losing an Art

The Jets continued their wild ride to nowhere today. But say this for the team with the National Football League's worst record -- it makes losing entertaining, even compelling.

The Jets gave themselves every opportunity to win, and to lose, today. They barely did the latter, falling to 1-10 as the desperate Colts scrambled to a 34-29 victory to break their own four-game losing streak. Along the way, Jet quarterback Frank Reich tossed four interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked for a safety. Even Nick Lowery had the first blocked extra point of his long career.

And yet it came down to the last play, and of course it came down to the theatrical Keyshawn Johnson attempting to grab a desperation pass in the end zone.

Jeff Graham's third touchdown catch of the day had lifted the Jets to a 29-26 edge 48 seconds into the final period. But then came the safety, when Reich was tackled by Richard Dent (''I was hoping they were going to blitz but they zoned it off,'' Reich said). Then came a pair of field goals by Cary Blanchard.

The Jets mounted a final drive, but it was as erratic as their season. They were flagged for three false starts. Over all, they committed seven penalties in the last quarter. When the game is on the line, they miss. With some style, to be sure, and without quitting, no doubt, but with the same bottom line.

So now Reich was 55 yards from the end zone with 10 seconds remaining. The 6-foot-3-inch Johnson dashed to the right side of the end zone, then positioned himself between Graham and Wayne Chrebet. If he could not catch it, the idea was for him to tip the ball to them. Reich tossed it high. And Johnson actually snared it. He outleaped defenders Ray Buchanan, Jason Belser and Damon Watts. For a moment, the Jets had victory in the hands of the precocious rookie.