How Far Can The Jets Go?
Six hours ago my answer to that question was the AFC Championship game – TOPS. Now, I’m not so sure anymore.
It seems the Jets are sticking to their winning formula better than any team in the playoffs this season, playing THEIR game to perfection while rarely venturing outside their comfort zone.
Clearly that equation…run the ball + play amazing defense = playoff wins…is simple but effective for the Jets.
Fun stat from tonight’s game; Mark Sanchez’s 100 yards passing were the fewest ever for a Jets quarterback in a playoff win.
But even though Sanchez’s numbers were nothing to get excited about, the ‘Chize played another great game. And he didn’t just “manage” it.
He led the Jets on scoring drives after his defense made big plays and delivered the ball accurately when he needed to.
But the question now becomes, how far can this team actually go?
All the chips seem to be stacked against the Jets in their game against the Colts. They appear to have the following factors working against them:
-Peyton Manning factor
-Colts revenge factor (for laying down week 16 vs. the Jets)
-Playing on the road factor
But what this team has one it’s side (and again, perhaps more than any other team in the playoffs) is what nearly everyone over looked when making their predictions this week:
The Jets believe in themselves. They have a ‘why not us’ attitude, and it obviously comes from their head coach.
It’s amazing to think of it this way, but if you could have ANY of the four coaches left in the playoffs right now to lead your team, would you choose anyone OTHER than Rex Ryan?
But how far can that take them?
If anyone can carve up a defense it’s Peyton Manning. He’ll have a chance to study Gang Green’s D for the 2nd time in a month and you know he’ll be as ready as any QB in the league.
At this point, though, who wants to count out the Jets?
To that end, see me in a few days for a prediction.
Matt Estreich for The Huddle
|
The Huddle is operated by WPIX-TV, New York |
|
| Search Blog
|
Comments: 3
I arrogantly predict the New York Jets to win the 2010 Super Bowl In Miami on February 7, 2010. Actually, arrogantly is a play on words from a comment a week ago.
As a lifetime fan of the New York Jets, there never is anything close to arrogance. It is being humble and appreciative of what has transpired since January 3, 2010 when the Jets propelled themselves into the playoffs with a 37-0 dominance of the Cincinnati Bengals.
If the Jets beat the less than inspired Bengals at the Meadowlands that January Sunday Night, they defeated an inspired, yet inferior Bengals team on January 8, 2010 in a 24-14 New York Jets victory in Cincinnati.
Then, Rex Ryan's Jets played like Jets on Sunday afternoon January 17, 2010 in San Diego. An impressive 17-14 victory over a San Diego Chargers team many felt were the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Now, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The New York Jets now get to quiet the talk of the Colts giving them the game in week 15.
The Jets win on Sunday. They will then win the Super Bowl on February 7, 2010.
January 12, 1969 Joe Willie Namath walked off the green grass of the Orange Bowl with the most significant victory in National Football League History. A 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts, who were 17 1/2 point favorites.
There was a sign at Qualcomm Stadium that sums it up for us long time, life long fans of this franchise. It read, "I don't have another 41 years."
New York Jets will surely go all the way, naturally when you are dressed in GREEN/WHITE just like the Saskatchewan Roughriders up here in the CFL. We have the best fans in the league bar none just like Jets fans. I have to do this quietly as i now live in British Columbia and i would not want anyone to know i was not a Lions fan.
I say for the jets to win indie has to have a horrible game and i don't see that happening. remember the only reason why they beat the bengals and chargers is bcuz they had bad games and it wasn't necessarily attributed to the jets defense, like missed field goals that are gimmes but hey anything is possible any given sunday. I just wanted to put it out there that yes they won the games but they didn't beat the teams they played.