Ex-Jet Mecole Hardman Scores Big Game Winning Touchdown
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 of the Kansas City Chiefs holds the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Perhaps the mentalist Oz Pearlman knew something when he appeared at the New York Jets training camp and had Mecole Hardman hold up a poster of the final score in the Big Game.
That poster read Jets 31 – San Francisco 21.
Well, like something out of the movie Back to the Future when Marty McFly sees a photo of he and his siblings change before his very eyes, things changed for Mecole’s and the Jets’ future when Gang Green sent the frustrated receiver back to Kansas City in October.
The Jets couldn’t find a way to get Hardman involved in their offense. He had one catch in five games. On Sunday night, he had three catches for Kansas City including the game-winning score in the Big Game in overtime with three seconds left. Kansas City 25 – San Francisco 22.
Oz knew. So did Kansas City.
Even K.C. tight end Travis Kelce took potshots at the Jets for giving up on Hardman too soon.
Of course once people realized who hauled in the game winning score, the roasting began.
What had to make the whole moment crystalized in irony is almost immediately after Hardman’s game winner, New York posted to Twitter that it will debut new uniforms next season. Kid you not.
RUTGERS CONNECTIONS
With Kansas City winning the Big Game for the second straight season, and third time in the last five seasons, KC running back Isiah Pacheco earned his second ring. The former Rutgers standout had a tough night, rushing for only 59 yards on 18 carries. His fumble in the second quarter proved costly as it robbed Kansas City of a chance to score when they trailed by a slim 3-0 margin.
Fellow Rutgers products Logan Ryan and Sebastian Joseph-Day were on the losing end of the night with San Fran. Ironically, it was Ryan — a former New York Giant – who forced the Pacheco fumble in the second quarter.
Next?
Football season is over. March Madness takes center stage. Can Rutgers’ three-game winning streak turn into a run at the bracket? We’ll find out. And baseball season is around the corner for the Yankees and Mets. For you football fans, the draft isn’t far off, and next fall’s schedule should release in May.
7 Super Early Super Bowl Contenders for Next Season
I know it’s probably early to talk about the Super Bowl for next season, but really, is it? I actually don’t think it’s ever too early to start speculating and wishing for your team to make it all the way next year. This year was so very close for my team, the Detroit Lions. But, no cigar. So, maybe next year will be our year. But, aside from the Lions, there are other teams that are on target to be major contenders next season. Some of them didn’t even make the playoffs this year. So, what are some early Super Bowl contenders for next season?
Before we get into those contenders, let’s look at why next season is already shaping up to be so exciting. For me, the main reason is because a whopping seven teams have new head coaches. That’s really going to change the makeup of those teams. The Atlanta Falcons have brought on Raheem Morris. The Carolina Panthers have Dave Canales. The Las Vegas Raiders have knabbed Antonio Pierce. The Los Angeles Chargers have Jim Harbaugh. The New England Patriots have promoted Jerod Mayo. The Seattle Seahawks have brought on Mike Macdonald. The Tennessee Titans have hired Brian Callahan. Finally, The Washington Commanders have hired Dan Quinn.
Of those new coaches, the most interesting to me is Harbaugh for the Chargers. For Harbaugh, this is his final shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy. He just won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, and now, he wants a Super Bowl victory. He has a chance with the Chargers’ stellar quarterback Justin Herbert. But, it will take time, in my opinion. I mean, it could take time with any of these teams with new coaches. That said, the Houston Texans had a rookie coach this year in DeMeco Ryans, and they almost went all the way, so all things are possible.
Let’s get into seven early Super Bowl contenders for next season with my commentary.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
