Favorites or Not, New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan Makes His Voice Present

About a month ago, everyone had written the Jets off.  After a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in a close 10-7 game, Rex Ryan and his coaching staff felt that their season had been pretty much buried.

A week later things got rejuvenated with a win over Buffalo, and then of course their shock win against the Cincinnati Bengals last week to secure them a playoff spot in the AFC Wildcard race.

Today though, Jets head coach Rex Ryan was asked the tedious question of how did he see his Jets maintaining a winning way amongst the other eleven teams in the playoffs.  Before he had a chance to answer, he was given the news that the Jets were the least considered of having a chance to win it all.

"I wasn't aware of that, but to me we should be favorites, so that's fine," replied Ryan.

In my opinion, there are two ways to perceive this. 

The first is that Rex Ryan is a complete idiot, and that his statement only adds the pressure on the already nervous Jets heading into their game against the Bengals on Saturday. 

The second is that Rex Ryan has showed enormous faith in his team, and is willing to make a statement like that in belief that his players can actually get the job done.

The funny thing is though, can the Jets really get the job done?

At the moment, things are looking about 50/50.  They've beaten the Bengals once already.  We all know that.  But they did it in a fashion that wasn't expected, and now that the game shifts back to Ohio, is it too much to expect from the Jets two weeks in a row?

Making a statement like Ryan has made puts pressure on a team that honestly doesn't need it.  The Jets only Super Bowl win came 41 years ago when Rex's father Buddy was a defensive assistant.  I'm sure he didn't make statements like this.

However, with this said, it isn't a first for Ryan to make his opinion heard.  Numerous times throughout this season he has stated how much he believes in his team, and how he has faith in his players and staff.  Maybe that is the reason why the Jets are into the postseason over the Texans.  Maybe just a positive attitude was all that was needed to break the curse that looms over the Jets every so often.

With an answer to Rex Ryan's statement really depending on the outcome of Saturday's fixture, Jets players didn't make their opinions unheard either when responding to Ryan's comments.

Darelle Revis commented with few little words, but his words made sense.

"That's crazy," said Revis when asked about his attitude toward Rex Ryan's statement.

Prior to Revis' statement, Ryan also had some words about his team, and their factors that could play a role in Saturday's away game in Cincinnati.

"I mean the Jets should be favored in the whole tournament. You know the way that I feel. I think we have the best defense. I know we do. I know we have the best rushing attack.

"Those are two huge factors in our favor. With a couple of exceptions on our staff, myself probably, I think we have a great coaching staff. I want this football team. I'm not going to trade our team. If I had choice to coach any team in this tournament, I would choose this one."

Talk it up Rex, you're good at it.  With a number of coaches already on the chopping block, let's just hope for your sake you can back it  up.