Be careful what you wish for, Rex Ryan! Just moments after getting blistered 45-3 by the Patriots in week 13, the N.Y. Jets coach claimed that he wanted to get right out on the field and play New England again in one of his patented, postgame demonstrative displays of conceited egotism. So clear your schedule and cancel those reservations you had at the Golden Corral for the Sunday buffet, Rex, because the football gods deemed it fit that your desperate plea be granted.
As if the Jets coach hadn’t provided Bill Belichick and the Pats with enough bulletin board material already, he subtly took another swipe specifically at Tom Brady last week, basically stating he thought Brady is an underprepared quarterback who has succeeded in the league only because of the great coaching that has surrounded him his entire career. An unbelievably misguided opinion, and one that was noted, not only by the reporters in that media room, but also by the players in the New England locker room.
Meanwhile, as Rex Ryan is consuming himself with launching insults at the two-time Super Bowl MVP and shoe-in for this year’s league MVP, his own quarterback, Mark Sanchez, produced one of the most pathetic displays in a playoff game at that position I’ve seen in a long time. One would think this might be more of a concern for him rather than trying to surmise the amount of time he feels Brady does or doesn’t spend in the film room.
Overall, when all the dust from this crazy, wild card weekend finally settled, the Patriots made out about as well as they could have hoped. Three of the four teams who were eliminated (the Saints, Eagles and Colts) were all serious, potential threats to the Patriots path to win another championship. Of the remaining teams, Seattle and Pittsburgh are the only squads left with QBs who have even played in a Super Bowl.
Also, by winning that game against the Colts, the Jets helped the Patriots avoid meeting the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, who demolished the Chiefs in Kansas City and looked extremely impressive doing so. Patriot fans should definitely be excited on multiple levels after this weekend’s results, and the anticipation of this favorable matchup will only help build that excitement level as the game approaches.
These are the types of games that make this time of year so much fun for football fans. The storylines surrounding this matchup enhance an already incredibly intriguing game. It will be a tough competition between intra-division rivals, who plain do not like one another.
As Patriots fans, there are several indicators that should leave us feeling very optimistic heading into Sunday’s game in Foxboro. Despite the devastating domination New England displayed over the Jets last meeting, I wouldn’t expect such an overwhelming blowout this time around. However, under Bill Belichick, the Patriots are 13-1 in their last 14 games played following a week off.
Additionally, early weather reports predict the temperature for Sunday to be at a high of 32 degrees. This is another statistic in support of a Patriots’ victory, because in his terrific career, Tom Brady has an amazing 18-2 record in games played in below freezing conditions. This is a perfect opportunity for revenge to be served up cold for all of the big mouths existing on this Jets team.
Needless to say, the Jets return to Gillette stadium will be a welcomed sight, and one that New England fans, and players alike, will be anxiously awaiting. It’s time for New York Jets players to be made aware of the fact that it’s the play on the field that does the only talking that matters. A victory on Sunday would finally silence their big-headed babble (at least for this season) and force Rex Ryan, once and for all, to put his foot in his mouth. Although, rumor has it, he might not be so opposed to that activity… Go get ‘em Pats!
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