| 11 October 2010
The last time I felt like this was in the early summer days of 2006. The Mets were storming through the National League and no American League club had distinguished itself as the "team to beat."
Four months later and...
Shit. Bad analogy.
You get the point, though. You know where I was going with that.
For the first time since 1970, no NFL team will start the season with a 4-0 record. As of this afternoon, the Jets have the best point differential in the league. They are one lousy point and as Trevor Pryce said, one Braylon Edwards penalty away from having an undefeated record. The team has not started the season with a 3-0 record in the division since the ephemeral Al Groh Era, and to boot, Monday night is the 10-year anniversary of the Midnight Miracle---a good omen, no?
The competition within the conference comes from the North. The Steelers and Ravens are the main roadblocks on the Jets trek to Dallas. That's not to say the re-born "53-man Patriot" squad won't ruin the Jets chances of a divisional title and a bye in the playoffs, but the class of the AFC is clearly dem Yinzers and Crabcake-eating, hypocrite team-stealing folk in Maryland. The good news is they will likely take care of each other. The second-place team will assume the No. 5 seed in the AFC and will have to win a road game in the first round before traveling to either Pittsburgh or East Rutherford for a second round grudge match.
As for the NFC, record-wise, the Falcons and Bears are the class of the conference. Would either make the playoffs in the AFC? It's debatable.
If you just vomited in your mouth reading the previous paragraphs, thinking, "I can't believe this punk-ass bitch blogger just jinxed the best thing going in my life!" I apologize, but remember who I'm taking my cue from.
"We don't have anything to hide," head coach Rex Ryan said at his Friday's press conference. "We have great people in our locker room, so what do we have to be afraid of or ashamed for? Go ahead and show it off. I think that's who we are."
Jason Taylor, a man who was only recently immersed into Ryan's culture of boastsful beats bashful, echoed his coach's sentiment.
"People don't want to set themselves up for failure and Rex isn't afraid to fail. And I love that you can't be afraid to fail," he said.
Me too, Jason. I have an uncomfortable amount of confidence in this team. It's a feeling that makes me nervous at times, but I'm becoming more at ease with it by the week. I have no idea what the ceiling is for the "full Voltron Jets." We haven't even seen them at full force yet. That's a scary good thought.
Despite their 1-2 record, the Vikings will provide an excellent test for the Jets Monday night. They were one stupid Brett Favre interception (redundant, I know) away from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl last season. And now they've essentially traded Sidney Rice for Randy Moss, a trade that leaves them a better team, in my opinion. (They'll be even dirtier when Rice returns from his hip injury.)
The Jets best offensive, defensive, and most prolific pass-rusher return to the lineup tonight.
I know because of the past 41 years you're thinking, "They're going to ruin the chemistry! OhBoyOhBoyOhBoy..."
Please don't do that.
"Fear not, fans. This team will not let you down. Believe in them and they will reward you. Who's going to beat them?!"
-Buddy Crutchfield, June 24, 2006
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
