It's all about using your mind.
Let's do a quick Q&A session. If I told you in early September that the Jets would be in a three-way tie for the AFC East lead with three games remaining, would you (and by you I mean me) be happy? What if I also told you that they also controlled their own fate and that if they won their final three games, two of which are at home, they would be in the playoffs as no worse than the No. 4 seed?
I would have done cartwheels in early September. Hell, I would have done back-flips in early November, too.
It's all about perspective.
Yes, the Jets are coming off two disappointing losses and the dogs of doom are howling, but I refuse to lay down the sword. And it looks like Brett Favre isn't either:
"I expect us to make the playoffs,"
Favre said. "I would hope that
every guy in the locker room feels the same way. Why think any different?"
That's what I'm talking about! Actually, what is he supposed to say? "Man, this is a sinking ship and we'll be lucky to win another game this season."
Still, that mindset has to be present in every single guy in Green and White. Things could be a lot worse. All the Jets need to do is look across the sidelines on Sunday to realize that.
Let's take a quick trip back in time. I'm jumping into the DeLorean and revving it up to 88 miles per hour. The time? Early November. The place? Buffalo, N.Y. The Bills were the darlings of the AFC East at 5-2. The Jets (4-3 at the time) were two weeks removed from an overtime loss at Oakland and were coming off a lackluster victory against the Chiefs at home.
It was do-or-die time (yes, I'm being dramatic) for the Jets and they came away with a huge win. The defense was a play-making machine as Abram Elam took an interception back for a score, Darrelle Revis recorded a sack, forced and recovered a fumble and made a pick in the end zone, and Kris Jenkins was kicking ass and taking names as Gang Green allowed only 30 yards rushing on the afternoon. It was one of the strongest efforts of the season from the defensive unit.
That victory in western New York turned into the second of five consecutive wins to vault the Jets into first place. Meanwhile, it was the second in what would be become four straight defeats for the Bills as they fell out of the AFC East race.
Ah, good times.
The Jets defense hasn't played nearly as well in the weeks following that game. Oh, they gave the Rams a pounding and played well against Tennessee, but the pass rush has all but disappeared and the secondary has continued to take a beating. But this could be the game that gets the D back on track.
Trent Edwards is listed as doubtful and that means that former first-round pick J.P. Losman will take the QB controls for the second straight week. Losman was terrible last week in a loss to the Miami Dolphins, going 13 of 27 for 123 yards and an interception. He was also sacked four times. The Bills have scored just six points in their past two games.
The Jets made Jay Cutler look like the rising superstar that many feel he is two weeks ago at the Meadowlands. Last week, the Gotham Green helped Shaun Hill channel his inner Joe Montana. They say bad things come in threes, but I'll be beyond furious if Losman has a good game on Sunday.
The defense has taken a whipping lately, but things aren't peaches and cream with Gang Green's offense. The short-passing attack that worked so well during the five-game winning streak has run into trouble. It seems as if defenses are playing tighter coverage on Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery and are daring the Jets to beat them deep. The nerve! Many have been screaming for the Jets to take more shots down the field and they may get their wish as the Jets will activate their fastest receiver for the first time on Sunday.
David Clowney, who showed great promise during the preseason, will take Brad Smith's place at wide out. Smith was hit hard in the dying moments of last week's loss and suffered a concussion.
I don't know how involved Clowney will be in Sunday's gameplan, but it couldn't hurt to have a speedster on the field.
Here's a
Bills' fan's view of the upcoming game.
The Bills may be down and just playing out the string, but never underestimate division rivalries. Buffalo may be going home for the playoffs, but I'm sure they would love to stick it to the Jets and turn Gang Green's fans against them at the Meadowlands. The biggest key will be for the Jets to jump out to an early lead. Nothing saps the strength out of a team that isn't going anywhere more than a quick 14-0 deficit.
Another key will be how the Jets fans react if the home team doesn't get off to a great start. Will they boo mercilessly and turn their passion into negativity? My guess is yes, yes they will, especially if the Jets fall behind early. They bought their tickets so they have the right to boo if the Jets don't play well, but I'm hoping the fans won't turn on the guys in green too quickly. It's funny, I always thought I was a negative person, but more and more I think I'm a glass half-full type of guy. Go figure.
The Green and White's post-season path has been laid before them.
If you will it, it is no dream.
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