Did Tom Brady's Stress Fracture Help The New York Jets Prevail?

Last Sunday, New York Jets fans rejoiced as they defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The NFL was reeling from this upset, especially with the Patriots destroying the Jets in a game earlier this season. As a life-long Jets fan, I am excited to watch them play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championships this Sunday.

Later in the week, it was announced that Patriots quaterback Tom Brady will not be participating in this year's Pro Bowl due to foot surgery. It turns out that he has had a stress fracture in his navicular bone for the past several weeks and he has been playing on it anyway. He has already had surgery to repair the fracture by placing small screws in the bone.

It all makes a little more sense now. The navicular is a bone in the midfoot that is responsible for stability and bears a significant amount of weight. A fracture of this bone is incredibly painful. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has been plagued by the very same injury, and it is questionable whether he will be able to play again. Tom Brady is looking at a significant recovery of 8-12 weeks followed by physical therapy to get him ready to play again. 

Brady was sacked six times during the game against the Jets, very uncharacteristic for one of the best quaterbacks in the game. If he had trouble transferring weight to and from the foot, or if he was in significant pain, it is not unreasonable to see why he was more susceptible to the Jets defense. I would love to say that Brady's injury had nothing to do with the Patriot's loss, but that would not be accurate.

But, a win is still a win, and it is very sweet. Looking for the Jets to prevail this Sunday and then on to the Super Bowl! J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!