This is from the Daily News. Rex Ryan may not look like your garden variety stat geek, but don't be fooled. The Jets' wise-cracking coach is a football historian who knows every m eaningful trend. So, there was a tangible reason why he spoke openly about the importance of the 10-5 Jets winning their regular-season finale against the Bills in a game that will determine whether his team is the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the playoffs. "I just want to win because it says a lot about a regular season (when) you can get 11 wins," Ryan said. "(It is) really hard to say that hasn't been an outstanding regular season....Eleven is better than 10." When you look at recent Super Bowl history, 11 is the magic number. In the past 10 Super Bowls, 18 of the 20 teams had at least 11 regular-season wins. Only the 2008 Cardinals (9-7) and the 2007 Giants (10-6) didn't reach the 11-win plateau. Here's the more alarming trend for the Jets: If they lose to the Bills on Sunday, they'll have dropped f our of the last five games heading into the playoffs. "You want to gain momentum," Ryan said. "But is it the end-all be-all? No, I don't believe so....I don't think history...says that you have to be rolling at the end of the regular season." In the past 10 years, 40% of Super Bowl participants entered the playoffs with at least a four-game winning streak. The Jets, of course, have more to worry about than that. No Super Bowl participant in the past 10 years has lost four of its last five in the regular season. Only three of 20 Super Bowl teams during that span have lost three of the last five. The Jets also face the possibility of entering the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. Last year's Colts and Saints are two of only three Super Bowl teams during the decade to head into the playoffs on at least a two-game slide. The 2004 Eagles also dropped two in a row before making their Super Bowl run.
dat. Win the wildcard game with a solid two-way effort, and momentum kicks in. I like the idea of going into the playoffs with a healthier team more than I like the idea of nailing down a win of diminished consequence.
I think it matters, and I don't really question these. YES. I guess I am just hoping that we see the main personnel packages dominate and look like they are ready to start their playoff run. J-E-T-S didn't back into anything this season, they are in the playoffs because they are a winning team and earned it. But they sure as shit didn't earn it based on their performance during this last quarter of the regular season. Timing is everything. This team needs to start playing better. Thankfully, from what I have seen from earlier in the season, I believe they can. I think a win matters because it goes a long ways towards supporting that belief. There are many valid points towards resting players, but if it gets them back to playing at 100% of their performance level, which part of this season's performance are they going to bring?
Jets need to win Sunday because the home fans have been treated to some shitty football lately. Go out there with the skeleton crew and kick some Buffalo ass. From there we begin our predestined romp into the playoffs.
No because this team is so erratic. I said the Jets needed to be Miami for a morale boost if they wanted to beat Pitt. Well, they lost to Miami and beat Pitt anyway. This team can get up for games but also can play down. Beating Buffalo means nothing.
I agree....Beating Buffalo means nothing. Rest all the banged up players (#6 first) and have the whole team ready phisically and mentally for the playoffs. :jets:happy new year to all the JETS fans from Italy.
