Two of the last five Super Bowl winners went into game 13 with a 7-5 record. The Patriots in 2001 and the Steelers in 2005 both looked ok but nothing special going into the final quarter of the season and both of them just kept rolling right into the big game. That would make Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Denver, Kansas City and the Jets all very dangerous sleepers to win it all. If you look at it closely based on recent history it almost seems as though one of those 7-5 teams is more likely to win it than the favorites in New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis and San Diego.
To have this record right now in the AFC is pretty damn good, considering the tough teams we faced early in the year and the low expectations held by everyone (at least here). I still can't believe there are whispers of playoffs!
I didn't want to say it out loud, and since typing isn't really out loud, this year, the Jets, have reminded me of the Pats 01 Superbowl year. Obviously we have a lot of differences, but just the way they are playing reminds me of the way the Pats used to win games. If we end up going 4-0 to finish the year, we'll even be 11-5, just like the Pats. I don't even want to think Superbowl before we have clinched a playoff spot, but, this could be a magic season we are watching here.
I agree, look at the Steelers last season, finished up strong (wasn't their lose in Indy on MNF their last loss last yr?) as I've always said, it's not how you start but how you finish that matters)
The Final Push As a Pats fan, I'd warn you that the 01 team needed a lot of luck. Everyone remembers the tuck rule episode. There was also a player who recovered a fumble while unconscious. While I don't buy into the conspiracy theories, we had more than our share of calls swing our way. Brady's play sure helped. Still, the '01 runs shows it is possible for a team to come out of mediocrity and get to the Promised Land. I also wouldn't be surprised if one or more of the AFC division leading teams fades. It is really hard to sustain intense winning football for an entire season and beyond. The Dolphins before Sabin arrived crashed every year in December. The Colts seem to spend a lot of energy early going undefeated, only to fade as the season progresses. The Broncos are already sliding downhill fast. But we seem to have two tiers. The AFC has no 8 win teams and no 6 win teams. The Patriots, Chargers, Colts and Ravens would have to fade really badly to lose their divisions. I consider the seedings to be way up in the air among those four. The Jets, Chiefs, Jags, Bengals and Broncos also have themselves a dogfight. I really don't know who will manage to finish strong. I do know the Colts don't like physical teams in January, and Mangini knows how to put up a defense that will throttle them. If you guys should happen to find your team in Indianapolis, have fun.
Quote: "The Patriots, Chargers, Colts and Ravens would have to fade really badly to lose their divisions" your probably right, but the Ravens and Pats only have a 2 gm lead in their division, out of those 2 teams I think the Ravens could fall, (they play the Chiefs this weekend in Arrowhead, could be a very hard game for them, and they play @ Heinz Field Christmas Eve, and finish up against the Bills at M&T Bank) there could very well be 3 losses for them there) the whole seeding for the AFC could be very different when the season ends, then it looks like right this moment.... Jets Jags Chiefs Broncos Bengals all at 7-5 currently...wow......
I am also going to watch the Chargers. They may be the most complete team playing the best football to date, but their next three games are Denver, Kansas City and at Seattle. These are all decent teams with a lot to fight for. I guess as a Patriots fan hoping for a first round bye, I might be hoping for different results than a Jets fan looking for a wild card slot. Ah, well. Agreed, the AFC standings could change a lot over the next month.
so this week: 1) we need Baltimore to beat KC -- this can definitely happen if Balt. shuts down Johnson and brings enough Offense. hopefully Herm will try to run a halfback pass at a critical moment in the game... 2) Indy to beat Jacksonville -- another likliehood. Indy coming off a loss, and still trying to clinch the South and, more importantly get homefield advantage. 3) San Diego to beat Denver -- Cutler's second game won't get any easier against the Chargers D. oh yeah, and LT; 'nuff said. *4) Oakland to beat Cincy -- probably won't happen, but who knows? if the Raiders can do us a favor and somehow pull of an upset, that would be huge. so aside from #4, there's a good chance things will play out nicely once again for us. and don't forget those losses will also be within the Conference; and if we win, the victory will be within the Division/Conference. Let's Go Jets! cheers
We should have never injured bledsoe. But that was one of the greatest hits at least at the time. I almost broke my television in sheer excitement. God Bless the Jets.
Everyone on this site is always quick to point things out when someone has a glitch in their post or reply. I think your mistaken by saying we need all of these things to happen but not put us to win, even though it obvious. I hope the team doesn't do what us fans do worry about everyone else and not our own game. I'm obviously cheering for all of the 7-5 teams to lose, but I know if we win out we will be in the playoffs.
