I?ve seen a few posters here worrying about a few media dudes who are picking the Jets to win this weekend. Yes, it is happening, all over the place, and from the unlikeliest of places. So, this post is NOT for the faint of heart. In fact, I am hoping that the Jets keep winning and that they keep converting the nonbelievers. I am just going to report on the reporters I have seen picking for or against the Jets in New York City. (This is mostly for you out-of-town fans, who can?t pick up the NYC newspapers. And shame on you so-called New Yorkers who do not support our newspapers!) The New York Post, as usual, proves they are the New York Jets hometown newspaper. Out of 9 pickers, eight choose the Jets (including guys like Mark Cannizzarro, the Jets beat writer, and Steve Serby, who followed them back when Richard Todd beat him up in the locker room for unkind comments). Also, they gave two full pages of coverage to the game. (Check it out at newyorkpost.com!) Here are Dave Blezow?s comments (who?s been the New York Post's lead football picker), which are interesting if not instructive (although admittedly, he?s usually been a below .500 football picker!): ----- The New York Jets are 5 1/2-point underdogs at the 10-0 Titans. Here are five reasons the Jets not only cover that number, but win the game outright. 1. The Jets are 3-0 in divisional road games, the most important games of any season, which means they won't be intimidated by the venue. 2. They have an extra three days to rest and prepare. The Broncos and Browns, who met in the first Thursday nighter, both won as road 'dogs the following game. 3. The Titans play again on Thanksgiving in Detroit. This won't affect how Jeff Fisher coaches, but could weigh on the players' minds. 4. The Jets have a higher-scoring, more balanced offense and more explosive return man. 5. The Titans live by the run, last week's comeback vs. the Jags notwithstanding. But center Kevin Mawae had problems with huge nose tackles when he was here, and nobody's playing bigger or meaner than Kris Jenkins. The pick: Jets +5 1/2. ----- Also, this game was the lead story in Around The Horn, ESPN?s Talking Heads competition, which airs almost every day airs at 5:00 p.m. Jay Mariotti and Tim Cowlishaw picked the Jets to win, while Woody Paige and (the big, fat idiot) Plaschke picked the Titans? You can check out their comments at espn.com. For a long-time Jets fan like me it?s a thrill to see Our Jets as the Big Story of the Week in Sports! Heck, Bret Favre is the lead story on Espn.com as I write this? In other local news, the New York Daily News were not only split with their picks for this game, but it took me almost ten minutes to find their story about the game. The Giants got all the coverage, then the Yankees, then the freakin? Steelers/Chargers game. I am fairly pee-d off that ?our hometown paper? ignores the Jets on the eve of their most important regular season game since 1998? On the other hand, Rich Cimini, their Jets beat writer, does a great job. And if you are still interested/bored enough to read on, the NY Daily New football pickers are 50/50 on the Jets/Titans game. Bill Gallo (their cartoonist who has been around since DiMaggio and Willie Mays?no joke!), likes the Titans as a best bet. Jim Rich (Who the F is he?) picks the Titans as a best bet as well. And, the Immortal Ralph Vacchiano (whoever the F he is, I never heard of him!) also chooses the Titans?as a Best Bet! On the other hand, the guys who actually follow the New York Jets, the beat writers and columnists, think the Jets will win: Gary Myers, Rich Cimini and The Mighty Quinn. Anyhow, this is just a report for you out-of towners who don?t get the local newspapers and are curious about the local opinion for the Most Important Regular Season Game for the Jets since 1998? LET'S GO JETS!!!
It's a big game, but the Most Important Regular Season Game since 1998? That's pushing it. This is a good game to get, but it won't break their season if they lose. Last week was more of a MUST WIN. However, I see the Jets pulling this one out on the trenches.
I think this is the most important regular season game since the game against the Pats in 2004 when both teams were 5-0. That's the game where the Pats pushed the Jets back and basically put them in their place again. The game last week was a doozie also in terms of establishing something for the Jets. I agree that you have to go back to 1998 before that to find another game as big. That would be the back-to-back games at the Dolphins and the Bills week 15 and 16 where the Jets took control of the division race for good.
As an 'out-of-towner', here in L.A., I appreciate you taking the time to give us the local scoop. It's a good read and is well written. Last week, I had a strong feeling the Jets would win and I have that same feeling for tomorrow's game. The game's being televised here and I have the DVR set. I have a feeling I'll want to watch it more than once. GO JETS!!!
I called this the "Most Important Game since 1998" because if the Jets beat the Titans they are serious contenders for a home playoff game and a first round bye. They'll still have a good shot at the playoffs if they lose, but... Wel, I guess it depends on your expectations. Also, there's this theory that every game is the Most Important Game as you near the end of the season and your team is in the playoff hunt. I subscribe to that.
IMO, this ranks #2 because if the win didn't happen last week, the implications of this win don't matter. So overall I find this #2, to date its #1.
I don't want to argue over whether last week or this week was a bigger game. You all can win that argument... But... I'm surprised by the lack of passion on this board for this game since we're facing ex-Jets like Heimerdinger, McCareins, Mawae, etc., and an ex-Jints QB... AND it seems the be The Big Game of the Week to the rest of the world... AND when the Jets win (especially if they win big), it puts them in the NFL elite, and it will be argued by many "experts" that the Jets are the best team in the AFC. (Even if they win in OT, like they did against the Pats!) Beating the Patriots last week didn't give the Jets much respect, did it? Right? But this game will.
Right now, the goal is to win as many as possible, with the 2nd seed the primary goal. Even if we win this week, the 1st seed will be very difficult. Put on a good showing Sunday, as we might just meet them again in the playoffs.
I agree with you man. Last week was a huge game within the division and definitely for the fans - I think it took them over a really big psychological hurdle. But to have the chance to turn around and make a statement to the entire league by taking out the last unbeaten team sporting a 10-0 record... this is awesome!! If, as a Jets fan, you can't get excited for this one, it's time to throw in the towel and watch a different sport. I can't freakin wait...
Every week is the most important game of the season. All the worrying is nonsense. There is no curse. We had crap coaches and crap teams for a long time. So if you drank the water in Mexico you spend your vacation losing your guts....same thing as here.....you get shit coaches and players, you end up with shit results. No curse, just bad decisions. This year is different. We have a competetive team to watch and some really talented players, and decent (in most cases) coaches to run the show. Jeff Fischer is a great coach and he has a really excellent team. Anything can happen but I see the Jets coming away with a win here.
