Jim Nantz Confused About Who Won Jets-Patriots Game

Jim Nantz was confused Sunday about which team won the Jets-Patriots game, insisting that the squad from New York defeated Tom Brady and company when in fact they lost.

The AFC East showdown turned out to be a thrilling affair. Though the Patriots led late in the game, the Jets stormed back with the help of a fumbled kickoff. Just before regulation ended Tom Brady was able to drive the Patriots into position to tie the game, sending it to the no-longer-sudden death overtime.

That is likely what got Jim Nance confused. The Patriots took the ball first in overtime and marched down the field, kicking a field goal that in previous years would have ended the game. This year, however, the NFL has extended the playoff rule that if the first team with the ball kicks a field goal, the other team is given a chance to score as well.

The Jets squandered that chance, as Mark Sanchez was sacked and fumbled the ball back to the Patriots, ending the game.

In the booth, a confused Jim Nantz said didn’t see it that way. The announcer said that the Jets win was the “stunner” of the day, DeadSpin noted.

USA Today speculated that there was more to Jim Nantz confused than a simple verbal mix-up. The report noted that the Jets were 10.5 point underdogs to the Patriots, and by losing in overtime the team covered the spread. It’s not likely Jim Nantz would explicitly mention gambling lines while on the air, the report noted, which is why he looked so embarrassed afterward.