Story Time
by John B on Dec 7, 2010 8:01 AM EST
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I'd like to tell you a story. There once was a meeting between the top two teams in the AFC. It was a highly anticipated that that did not live up to the billing. The road team went out and got destroyed by the home team. It was a three score game after the first quarter and never close after that.
The game decided home field advantage in the AFC Playoffs.
That game took place on October 31, 2004. The road team was the Patriots. The home team was the Steelers.
Those teams played again at the same venue in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots won convincingly.
I know the tendency is to blow last night's game out of proportion. I know the tendency is to try and find some vague way where this analogy doesn't work. It does work. I'm right.
The Patriots were better than the Jets last night. The Jets are still a really good football team. They are 9-3. Most teams in the league would kill to be where they are right now. They also have a head to head victory over New England of their own.
The season doesn't end in Week 13. There is still plenty of ball left to play.
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No offense but the Pats had already proved themselves by winning TWO Super Bowls…The Pats had Brady and finished 14-2. The Jets have Sanchez and WILL NOT win another game this season.
Again, this is not being negative. What have the Jets ever shown us that we should believe that this team has the heart of the talent to do what you are suggesting??? Last night was more than a loss, it was a complete statement of one team being totally overmatched.
In order for any of the Jets fans to believe, they need to have some kind of history of success. The Jets have none. NONE. Worse than that, I have been saying all along that until this team actually does the things I pointed out, they are no different than the multitude of teams that have failed and stabbed us in the back.
People can ignore history, but this is what this team does…They show something and then stab you right in the back. I personally guarantee that the Bengals win was the last win you will see from this team.
The other teams now really know how to defend Sanchez and I predict he won’t even finish the season as the starting QB. Somewhere along this collapse they win replace him with Brunnell, probably against the Steelers after he will have thrown four INT.
The Jets deserve this kind of negativity because this is all that I have seen in my life. You can’t dismiss this when this is all they have shown in their history. You can hate me and make fun of me and berate me all you want, but the JETS have done this.
By the way. I wasn’t allowed to watch the game with my friend last night, but I talked to him this morning and I never have heard him more down. He was doing better, but I have never heard him more upset at something non-health related in my life. He is the opposite of me meaning that he always has hope and believes and this is how this team rewards him…
I think he realizes now that he will never see the Jets win, and that really breaks his heart. Damn I hate the Jets for doing this to him.
I don't think a comparative story ever works out like that twice.
Teams are just too unique. That being said this will be a big test for our teams identity for next year. This isn’t the Same Old Jets but could be a new regime of disappointment if they don’t find a way to play 4 quarters of football. We’ve played 7 quarters of Jets football in the last 7 games, 3 of them being in the Bengals game, zero yesterday. That’s not very encouraging for a team whose D isn’t stopping anyone but the Bungles lately and an O who hasn’t put together 4 solid quarters all season. Let’s find out who this team wants to be, contenders or pretenders.
Teams are unique, but some realities exist through time. People are too busy arguing the specifics. There are a million relevant stories. Don’t like the 2004 Patriots? How about the 2007 Giants who got swept by the Cowboys and lost at home to the Packers only to beat both in the Playoffs? I have more. Some just quit too easily IMO. I have family members who fall into this category. People need to remember that the way a team plays on Week 13 isn’t necessarily the way it will play the rest of the year.
I think your concerns are more accurate and sober than the people throwing in the towel at 9-3.
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I agree there can be similarities and exceptions to rules.
But at the end of the day we won’t know until our last game whether that be a super bowl win or a lose knocking us out of playoff contention. I wouldn’t throw in the towel, but the optimism of early in the season has been totally destroyed by underacheivement to a degree which makes it understandable as to why people would start to panic. I think this team needs to panic because doing the same things week in and week out won’t cut it with our weakness fully exposed.
Let's not forget where we were last year at this exact point:
6-6 coming off partially convincing wins against bad teams after two 3-game losing streaks to playoff caliber teams.
We are still on the verge of matching or even exceeding our Franchise record for wins.
THIS IS STILL A SPECIAL SEASON.
The next few games
will obviously be very telling. The Jets got so utterly destroyed last night that it is hard for me to really know the extent of problems (e.g. one game vs systemic). The Jets have been poor against teams with winning records (an average of 4 points per game in the 3 losses!) but until last night I could always turn to the fact that those games were close. Short week and a shaken ego-the Dolphins game will be big. If the Jets win, I can see them shaking off this game. If not, I would not be shocked to see a free fall.
I see what you're saying
But, no, you’re wrong about one thing – it’s not a direct comparison. As the above poster pointed out, the Pats had already proved their championship mettle at that point, by winning two of the previous four Super Bowls by 2004. Brady was a veteran with rings on his fingers, and Belicheck had proven to be a big game coach.
That’s not to say that the exact same thing couldn’t happen – that the Jets can’t march into Foxborough into the AFC Title game and avenge this loss. I think that anything is possible…but I just don’t think it’s likely. The Jets have not proven that. Last night was a statement game, and the statement that the Jets made was, “We’re not ready for games like this yet.”
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
Chill Out
How many times in the past 20 years has this been franchise been 9-3?
I have seen it happen this year where teams just don’t show up. Did Cleveland beat the Past by 20 earlier, did that end their season?
I understand the magnitude of this game—really. But this is NOT the playoffs…we control our destiny to get in and we have proven that bye weeks and long layoffs are not friends of Jets. If we won 45-3 and made a “statement” and went on to lose 2 of the next 3 while losing the division then what would it be worth?
If you put stock in “statement games” then you haven’t been watching this league for the past 5 years.
How about that loss to the Falcons last year..no way where we going to the AFC title game at that point right?
4 more to go—-the Jets can still take care of their own business.
Well
There is such a thing as a “statement game” when your team talks all week and makes “statements,” and follows up talking with a performance like that.
As I’ve said over and over again, I still think the Jets will make the playoffs. The point is that they haven’t proven anything yet against good teams this year (1-3 against the Pats, Ravens and Packers), and those are the types of teams they’ll face in the playoffs. If you’re a Jets fan and you aren’t incredibly concerned by what you saw last night, both in terms of how pathetic the defense was and how awful Sanchez looked, well, more power to you. I’ve been a Jets fan for a LONG time, and that game last night exposed some flaws that we’ve been able to otherwise mask all year.
"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998
You may not want to hear this from me, but...
After my team was embarrassed in Week 2, I was confident Belichick and crew would not let it happen again. I think the same holds true for Ryan and his crew. If/When, they meet in the playoffs, it will be epic. And both will bring their “A” game. Is there a better rivalry? New York vs. Boston?
Reality is a matter of opinion.
HERE WILL BE THE MARK OF A GREAT SEASON:
If we can go to the playoffs and face either the Chiefs or the AFC South winner (as long as it’s not the Colts), and WIN – REX RYAN WILL SET A FRANCHISE RECORD FOR MOST PLAYOFF WINS AS A JETS HEAD COACH WITH 3.
If Rex can climb over the mountain of playoff futility for the Jets in something as quasi-important as a Wild Card Playoff game, it will completely legitimize that we are no longer the Same Old Jets and Rex is not just another weird coach.
Already
Not the Same Old Jets. The Same Old Jets lose to the Lions, Browns, and Texans. The SOJ get destroyed by the Ravens, not lose by 1, after 2 horrible calls hand the Ravens 4 points. These are not the Same Old Jets.
"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez
Jetsexpert
The fact that you are under emotional duress because of your friend, and posted before the game was emotionally touching in a bromance kinda way.The fact that you posted since then and have gone on a sky is falling , DAMN THE JETS TO HELL rant in more than one post has me a lot less sympathetic. O.k. , we got punched in the mouth. Why don’t you tell your friend to quit fighting and that life is a sucking swirling eddy of despair? You don’t tell him that because it is counterproductive. So , we take setbacks and deal with them the best we can. I want to give you a pass because of the stress you are under, but splash some cold water on your face, stand out in the cold, and get a grip.
by longsuffering but optimistic on Dec 7, 2010 10:20 AM EST reply actions
i wanted them to win last nite,
But a couple weeks ago I said it would be better for them if we lost. That we don’t prepare well with extra time and that we’re a better team on the road. I can’t say we’re a better road team anymore per se, but its pretty clear that our OC can’t game plan.
Last night will either destroy this season or it will be the best thing that can happen. I believe its the latter. Hard lessons were learned by this coaching staff. We don’t scheme to match-ups on either side of the ball (sans revis), and the pats schooled us in that dept.
Its much better to learn this lesson now than in the playoffs. The Steelers game will likely show us what kind of playoff team we’ll be.
by Crackback on Dec 7, 2010 10:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions
it's a 16 game season
it doesn’t end just because the Pats blow you out on one game. Especially when you’re 9-3.
Saying that now there will be no bye week the Jets are better off
Is clutching at straws. Seriously? I suppose it probably is better to go 9-7 and squeak in to the playoffs than to go 16-0 and get the #1 seed. Just admit that you were beaten by a much better team, remember that you are 9-3, and still in control of your season.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Dec 7, 2010 11:29 AM EST reply actions
Sure it is
How is it to go 16 – 0 and lose the superbowl? Do you go around bragging about that? Hey we were the #1 seed, and went 18 – 1?
And the Jets having extra time to prepare seems to be a bad thing for this team, so yes, getting a wild card, and not having a first round bye may just work in this teams favor.
And would you say you were beaten by a much better team in week 2? Or that you were beaten by a much better team when the browns beat you? We lost, you won, it’s over. hopefully, we’ll see you in the playoffs.
"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez
There's a reason the Colts rest their players
Once they win 13-14 games and have the #1 seed, rather than winning 10, guaranteeing at least a WC and then sitting their starters. The Colts can’t win a big game anyway, but why risk Peyton for an extra couple of games? The answer is home field advantage.
We can say “hey, we went 18-0 and came within 40 seconds of 19-0.” No Jets fan will ever be able to say that. History will remember the 07 Patriots as much for losing that SB as for winning it. They will feature in all the Greatest Teams of All Time arguments.
The only good thing that could come from not having a first round bye for the Jets is that they will not have to play somewhere cold – Jax or Indy will have the 4 seed and the Jets will have the 5 seed.
In week 2, the Patriots beat themselves as much as the Jets did. Brady forcing the ball to a crappy Moss lost the game, as they could get nothing going after halftime. Maybe at the time, the Jets were the better team, and part of Brady forcing the ball was defensive adjustments (it wasn’t – watch the film and see Hernandez keep getting open). But after Monday night, it should be clear that the Pats are the better team.
r.e. the Browns game, that was clearly a stinker. That should be familiar to longtime Jets fans.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Dec 8, 2010 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry. Got a little worked up there. Sorry again.
The Browns game is an outlier with the 1000 cuts offense. 3 turnovers, only 14 points and an ineffective run D wouldn’t beat the Panthers. I don’t know what this could be attributed to, but it was probably just a bad game. The Jets had one Monday. Same as the Pats have proven themselves to be a different team, the real Jets are not the team that turned up to play (or not play, as it was).
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Dec 8, 2010 6:05 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody has said the pats weren’t the better team last night. Of u were. But most of us also know that the jets are a much much better team than they played last nite. And its also the MO of our crappy oc to not even score a td when he has extra prep time.
This team needed to have its bubble bursted. This team needed to lose this game in order to make a serious playoff run. If we had won last nite, the coaches would have continued with the same crappy game plans going forward. This team has won 9 games in spite of the coaching staff this year.
by Crackback on Dec 7, 2010 12:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
we looked like we were ranked 32nd against the pass
i said a few weeks ago my main concern was we lost to teams who will reach the playoffs and although they were close losses because our defence kept us in it sanchez still seems negative in those games. last nights game takes the biscuit . although the pats are great on offence there main weakness is pass coverage . sanchez played well against the texans who were also ranked near the bottom of the league but last night never looked like he had the stomach to play against a team everybody has scored on .its not going to get any easier in the final few weeks of the season .
our defence looked clueless all night ( was bart scott playing , didn’t here him mentioned all night ) . same problems exist from the colts game last year
no pressure gives good qb’s time to pick us apart . our remedy for this was sign jason taylor .sigh. rex took a chance on jenkins being fit but not on leon washington . that was a big mistake . we needed to draft a d line man with our 1st or 2nd pick but we drafted vlad ( wasted pick)
what hurt the most last night was watching the pats still throw pass after pass when the game was over yet not 1 player on our d got angry enough to hit brady late and hurt him . or hurt any pats player for that matter . i remember last year in the playoffs dallas took exception to farve doing that but at least it showed passion . not 1 player on the defence looked like it hurt them to be getting torn apart , they just gave up . hell every player could afford a 50k fine a bad hit . last night looked like we had 11 defensive players ( except harris ) with the same attitude as the hated kerry rhodes . he was turfed out because of his attitude and after last nights shocker i don’t think he will be the last.
people will say its only 1 game but in fairness the offence has shown more passion than the defence all year and thats a big worry considering rex ryan believes defence wins championships . well at the moment our d won’t win us squat.
We're not who we looked like we were.
But it can serve as a wake up call. We need to re-group on a short week after walking into a buzz saw. Judging from the more cogent comments most of us saw the same things. Jetsexpert, seek immediate help. I’ve been riding this train since the early 60’s. Anyone else remember the 1-15 season when fans wore paper bags that said JETS, and next to the capitals it said Just End The Season)? The Richard Todd era? Let’s try to get a spot in the playoffs and go from there. At this point we probably still control our own destiny. One blowout and some of you have forgotten “in Rex we trust”. I wore my stadium jacket to work today, and f*&k anyone who made a comment. We’re still the best fans, and no one takes that away.
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