There are Giant fans aplenty in Douglaston, but this January all of Queens was Jets country.
A legion of the faithful made their way to Strawberry’s sports bar in the heart of Douglaston Village hoping to see “Gang Green” repeat their stellar performance against the New England Patriots.
But the Jets fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19. The last time the time took the title was in 1969.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Before the game, fans were predicting either winning scores or point leads of two to 10 for the Jets. Even Strawberry’s manager Michael Strawberry had the Jets winning, 24-17.
But there was one notable Canary-and-Black-clad exception – Steelers fan Patrick Smart who had his team winning by two.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The house enthusiasm faded after the opening minutes of the game, as the Steelers punched over the vaunted Jets defense. As halftime approached, excitement had given way to fatalism – only to have hope raised with a field goal in the closing minutes.
“The Jets always win with a strong second half,” muttered one fan. “They always kill me that way.”
But the Jets, who have been pulling out second-half comebacks throughout the season, fell short during the AFC Championship game.