"For 58½ minutes yesterday, the Jets had smothered Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and tight end Tony Gonzalez, the former a game-time decision with a toe injury.

But on fourth down, Gang Green gave the Falcons' duo a chance to snatch away the game and likely their playoff hopes -- and they took it.

The Jets' choice to go with a zone defense on the pivotal fourth-and-goal gave Gonzalez the space he needed to finally get open and make a game-winning six-yard touchdown catch. His score with 1:38 left handed the Falcons a 10-7 victory, and may have ended the Jets' postseason dreams.

"They went zone," said Gonzalez, targeted nine times to that point with just two catches for 26 yards. "I was getting jammed all the way down the field. They were doing a good job taking me out of that final drive, and then that last play I was like, 'Oh, my God, I think they're going zone, I might have a shot to get open.'"