Is it me or do others have this big friggin knot in the pit of your stomach. It feels much like how it felt after Doug Brien missed those 2 FG's back in '04. Even more painful than a 4th quarter meltdown in Denver. I don't know why. Is it a doom and gloom feeling? I don't know? I don't think so. My brain tells me that the Jets, by beating the Bungles in the WildCard game have already shattered the expectations of most people. I for one was thinking an 8-8 or 9-7 season and no playoffs. Not only did the team get in - but they advanced to the divisional round. And this all being done on a brand new system. This is THE biggest test this team will face this year. I don't have any expectations or delusions of winning the SuperBowl. It is one game at a time and logic dictates that the Jets won't come out on top this game. Its a realistic thought and not a knock on the team. They have a rookie HC & QB. Sanchez is good but he lacks the experience. How many teams won a Super Bowl with a rookie QB. The coach isn't perfect on the field. He's definitely an X's & O's guy but there have been hiccups with clock management and failed calls, etc along the way. Of course they will get corrected in time, much like the rookie's INT numbers. But this knot in my stomach just won't go away. I am having a really hard time getting to sleep. I feel I am scouring the boards and websites for any extra tidbit of info about the Jets, much more than usual. I can't focus at work cause I keep gravitating to the web to read. I find myself thinking of how can I get tickets to the game next week when we host the Ravens. What? The Jets haven't even finished practicing this week! What the hell am I thinking! Yet that knot is getting painfully larger. Why is my body doing this? I am a realist. Of course, we all think about what it would be like to go to the SB with the Jets and winning it all and how sweet it will be after a 41 year drought. But c'mon! We haven't even played 1 down in San Diego yet? I have had this sinking feeling before - but AFTER games, not before it. Then why do I feel this way? I should be upbeat! We're way ahead of where everyone expected us to be and now we're the talk of the league, the new Cinderella story. However, this knot in my stomach just won't go away. Is it because its soooooo close? Is it our new head coach who's made the fans believe that this team can win a Super Bowl as much as he has made his team believe it? Is it because Sanchez is so cool under pressure even with all the mis-steps this year? Is it the rankings the defense have achieved, and seeing the "Team Stats" page on NFL.com and seeing the Jets occupy three of the six major team stats? Maybe it is the fear of losing this game. It's so close this time. It has been 5 years since this team has been this deep in the playoffs. We have such a good defense and running game. Tons of potential on offense between the best OLine in the game, the #1 running game, and top notch wide receivers. So much inspiration from the coach and a great coach - one we all believe in. A coach that his players believe in. A coach the media gets behind. And yet this knot grows for fear of coming out on the down side of this game. I've been a Jet fan for some time. I have been with the team not quite as long as some of you, but long enough to vividly remember that I hope I never see another 1-15 season again. The last 10 years have been kind to the Jets fans who have been here much longer than I. I live and die with this team just as much as any of you, and I light my candles at the Jets shrine in my basement every Sunday. We all have been through the highs & lows, the hopes & dreams, and the crash & burns. So why is it I feel so bad about this upcoming game? Cause I want it that much! Its so close and this team is so good I can taste it! I want this win so bad and I want an SB win so bad. And I'm so sick of people talking trash about this team, and how we backed in to the playoffs! And trashing the Jets about not being good enough! And talking down about Rex and his staff. REX!!!! Please bring it home for the fans! We know you and your guys are out there in the trenches each week slugging it out but WE, US, The Fans, the Customers of your product want it so bad!!! We take as much mental and verbal abuse and you guys take physical abuse! Please bring it home and wipe away 41 years of misery for the people that have suffered for so long. And PLEASE make this damn knot in my stomach go away!!!
I think you just summed up how everyone in this board feels... Im just enjoying the ride as it goes. Can't wait for sunday; Oh BTW GO FUCK YOURSELF SAN DIEGO LETS GO JETS!!!!!!!
I am not feeling the same anxiety. I feel like we're incredibly fortunate to still be watching our team play this late in the season especially after the miserable losing streak in the middle of the season. If the Jets win, I will be ecstatic. If they don't, well then it was a great ride and I can't wait to see what they can do with a more experienced QB and HC and a bright, shiny new stadium next year!
THe knot is the unusual feeling that regardless of win or lose, everything is looking up for this franchise. When a Jet fan gets that, a supernatural feeling of dread appears. It's in our DNA. Enjoy the ride. It's all good.
I've honestly never thought we would get to this point earlier this season, especially after the Falcons loss ... this could be one of the biggest games in recent Jet history, are we what they think we are, meaning a team that's had some lucky cards dealt to us and we are in for a big let down, or do we actually have a legitimate chance at beating an elite team, we haven't played a team as good as the Chargers in the AFC let alone the NFL (cept for the Saints) If we lost this game I would be disappointed but I know the future is bright as long as this franchise continues to get better with it's players and staff, haha this is one nerve wrecking ride, my emotions have been at a huge high since beating the Bengals in the Meadowlands in the last week of the season, especially after I was so angry after the Falcons loss. It's been a great ride but I think we have a good chance at winning, IMO these aren't your daddy's or those Jet teams that their fortunate always seem to get shattered in the playoffs or by crazy fucking injuries, it's a new age a new Jet team that we haven't seen in a longgggg time Regardless i'm proud of this team's resiliency and how they've hit rock bottom and somehow got themselves out of it, Thank God for Rex, Mangini could not have put us out of this hole. Let's get out of San Diego with a win guys, to shut the haters up once again :breakdance:
For some reason I'm a lot more relaxed this week than last. I don't think I expect anything Sunday, but rest assured that I'll be gutted if we lose. If it gets close at the end I'll be a wreck. :lol:
Great post. Sums up the feelings of many on this board, I'm sure. Last week felt like a "must win" to me as it showed progress and potential for this team, and proved they were not "given" anything. The odds of flying across country to beat the hottest team in football is slim, but NOT impossible. They are the underdogs for a reason, but still have a good chance. I have a good feeling. enjoy it and embrace it, but realize the situation. :jets:
I've had so much anxiety this week, I feel like I need a Zoloft or somethin. Granted, I haven't been a Jets fan as long as most of you (5-6 years). For me, this is like uncharted territory, so I don't know how to feel. I feel sick to my stomach. This week has been so long. I can only imagine how I'm going to feel when we win this game. I might just faint.
I feel the same way. Last week, I felt like we needed a win to validate the season. Now? Look, a win would be GREAT and I would be ecstatic, but I've got more than enough goodwill to carry over to next year. If we lost last week, I'd start to worry about just how good we were, if Sanchez struggled, I'd worry that he might never get it turned around, if the Bengals scored on us, I'd worry about Rex's defense. But now we now that Mark Sanchez is for real. We know that Rex Ryan is for real. We know that Darrelle Revis is God. I think we can beat San Diego, but if we lose, and we lose fairly, there's no shame in it. San Diego's a great football team, and though I still think we match up very well, it's tough to say we should win. But win or lose, I can't wait until next season, when we're healthier, when our young studs are a year more experienced, and when Rex gets more of his players in here. Is this a contingency plan to make me feel better if we lose? Sure, but that doesn't mean I won't be able to go batshit crazy if we pull this one out.
this is a pussy mentality...what you're saying is well if we lose i'm happy? this is the playoffs...this team is in the hunt for the superbowl with 7 other teams...win and win now
that pretty much sums it up, i dont have that much time to come on the boards as much but everytime i get that feeling i have to. i will be so confident one minute then an hour later i just think the worst
Great post. I feel the same way. Even in years when the Jets aren't in the playoffs, I tend to forget how close this means we are to the end of the season. The SB is less than a month away, and then we will be in the off season, talking about changes to the team, looking forward to next year. The great thing for me as you also say is that since the Atlanta team, I feel much better, even if the Jets go no further than they have, for the following reasons: Ryan. He didn't fall apart during the 1-6 slide, stuck with the approach he has brought, and has shown he can get to and win in the playoffs with it. Best HC since Parcells, and he may yet to prove to be an even better one. OL. They've been playing up to their talent level, and it is outstanding to watch. Sanchez. Finally showing some maturity, I now have great confidence in his future. It was a roller coaster ride for him and us this year, but he seems to be moving not only to a higher level but like he's not turning back. Ellis, Revis, the rest of the D. Keep it up, guys. I love it. Greene. Well he did put the ball on the ground in the first Cincy game, but it was a do over, and he's otherwise been playing great. Another feather in Mikey T's hat. Jones. I understand he's been a bit beaten up lately, but I know he's going to contribute. He may not be Curtis Martin, but he gets it done. Playing Sunday is gravy for me. I sure hope the Jets win.
That OP made me so pumped for this game. I would love nothing more than to win this week and hopefully host the AFC Championship game in the Meadowlands.
Having been a Jets fan for over 25 years, I want this so bad as well. I can still remember the sting of the double Overtime loss in Cleveland as well as the loss to Denver. It rocks you to your core and back. When you get this close, it's so nerve-racking. I cried happy tears after the win in Cincinnati, (granted I'm a female and all) but I was so overwhelmed with JOY. I can't imagine what it would be like to go all the way but I'm ready and I hope and pray that the Jets, our beloved Jets, take it all the way. GO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all feel it. I'm a nervous wreck. Reading the boards and various opinions and smack talk from Charger fans makes it even worse. Some things I'm reading make me want to punch someone in the face. The uneasiness you're feeling is the lack of control over the situation you have both mentally and physically. The anticipation builds day by day and your mind starts to play tricks on you. Scenario's play out in your head, some bad, and you envision the opponent on the field as some unstoppable force because that's all the Chargers fans are capable of telling us. If you take a rational approach, you know they are human, fallable and beatable. They lost 3x this year. They have a streak...but it's about to end.
I don't feel nervous about this one. I'm amped as all hell but not nervous. Maybe Rex's confidence is rubbing off on me but all week I just had this attitude like "Fuck San Diego. We're gonna go in there and run it down their god damn throats. They ain't stoppin us. They're all gonna be looking at eachother sayin 'no matter what we try we can't stop them. They just keep comin after us!'" I'm gettin psyched just typin it. I wanna hit someone! A small part of my brain is sayin to me "We've been here before. You know the Jets always let you down. Take it easy" but you know what? F that. No SOJ bullshit, no cutesy double reverse options, just physically beat the shit out of San Diego, period! The NYJ Express is running through San Diego! Get the hell out of the way or have your dental records ready.
This is all gravy to me. The thought of the possibilities with a win on Sunday makes me go fucking insane. I want this team to win so bad it's killing me. BRING IT ON.
I actually feel the opposite. My head tells me they are going to lose, but I've just got a gut feel that they will pull this one out. And if they don't, I'm not going to be upset (unless they lose in SOJ-fashion....botched FG, stupid penalty, etc). My Dad (who is actually a passive Giants fan) told me "they are going all the way....you need to have faith". I responded that I've had faith in this team my entire life and have been monumentally disappointed. I'd rather expect them to blow it and have them surprise me than get my hope too high. If they win, it will probably be the biggest win since at least 98 (and maybe since SB III). If they lose, it's just another day in Cell Block J.
I am just worried that the game will end up with a bad call.. Yeah, I know, I think the worst all the time.
