The Jets Should Beat the Bengals for Two Consecutive Weeks
The New York Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts 29-15 Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium to incredibly regain control of their own playoff fate.
Many critics have placed an asterisk next to the Jets (8-7) upset victory because Colts (14-1) Head Coach Jim Caldwell removed quarterback Peyton Manning from the game with approximately six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
When Manning was relieved from action, the Jets were narrowly behind 15-10.
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After Manning was benched, the Jets defense thoroughly dominated and Gang Green ultimately outscored the Colts 26-3 after the conclusion of halftime.
It is impossible to say with any certainty whether or not the Jets would have emerged victorious had Manning not been replaced by rookie signal-caller Curtis Painter.
Nevertheless, the Jets prevailed when they needed to, and thanks to the plethora of help they received from other teams, if they simply trump the Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) this weekend, they will secure a postseason berth.
“You know, there’s very little credit that our football team is given, and that’s unfortunate,” Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan said.
“It bothers me a little bit. You have to earn everything you get in this league, whether you’re playing against a starter or backup. We make no excuses and no apologies for getting our job done.”
Ryan is absolutely correct.
The Jets have been a morbid franchise that has continuously disappointed their fan base ever since Willie Joe Namath uttered his famous guarantee in 1969.
Provided the Jets beat the Bengals, they will qualify for the playoffs for only the fifth time this decade.
Jets fans won’t give a bucket of piss how Gang Green extended their season.
All Jets fans want is additional games and the team is in a position to give their supporters just that.
The Bengals will likely rest many of their key starters Sunday as well.
Hence, the Jets are currently eight-point favorites to beat the Bengals.
If any NFL team is capable of banging the pooch and blowing such an ideal scenario, it’s the New York Jets.
Even if the Bungles played at full-strength, they are simply not a more talented team than the Jets are.
The Bengals winning campaign in 2009 has been predicated off of their ground game and solid defense.
The Jets have both the best rushing attack and defense in the entire league.
Granted, Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has displayed a propensity to throw maddening interceptions that have cost New York a few games this season.
However, it’s hard to envision that Sanchez will destroy the Jets season against the sleeping Bengals in what will likely be the final game ever played at the Meadowlands.
Presuming the Jets play to their potential and brutalize the Bengals, they probably encounter Cincinnati again the following weekend in a Wild Card matchup at Paul Brown Stadium.
Whether they play in the swamps of Jersey or on a gridiron in “The Queen City,” the Jets should throttle the Bengals on consecutive weekends.
If they don’t, the Jets will again demand “very little credit” and they will deservedly remain the NFL’s version of red-headed step-children.
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