New York Jets Fans: It’s Not So Bad

Oct. 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets fan attends the game between the New York Jets and the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

There has been a lot of anxiety around Jets Nation these days, and with good reason. Two weeks ago, the Jets lost at home to the 49ers 34-0. They lost their top players on both sides of the football. Mike Tannenbaum and company have persisted in bringing in help that hasn’t had much success around the NFL. Fans of this team have begun to feel hopeless. People even began discussing who the Jets should take with their high first round draft pick next year after this season falls apart.

There’s a saying in sports, that you are never as good as you look when you are winning, and you are never as bad as you look when you are losing. This definitely applies with our 2012 Jets, fans. Fear not, this season is not over yet. Anything can happen, we as Jets fans know this all too well. But, don’t write the Jets season as over yet.

THE JETS PLAYED WELL ON MONDAY NIGHT

Nobody gave the Jets a chance to win the game Monday night. Heck, nobody gave the Jets a chance to be IN the game on Monday night. Most of the talking heads believed that the game would pretty much over by halftime. Jets fans felt the same way, not too many of us were confident about the game. But the team surprised us, keeping this game in doubt into the last three minutes of the night. This was against a Texans team that many regard as the best in football right now, and the Jets stayed with them.

Now, I am not saying it’s a moral victory. There are no moral victories, when you get only 16 chances to get a victory. Like Rex Ryan said, “It’s a wins business”. If you don’t win the football game, it’s not a successful day. But, the team showed that it won’t quit. Many people, a lot of fans included, thought this team was going to fold up and get ready for 2013. Monday night, the Jets clearly showed that is not going to happen, and that is a great sign.

The Jets have a lot of new pieces, especially on offense. That being said, they still put up 17 points against an undefeated football team. Yes, 7 points were on special teams, but the offense was not totally inept, given all of the new pieces. As they work together, they will get better. For the rest of 2012, you will not only see the Jets show heart, it will translate into wins.

Oct 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak (right) and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan shake hands after their game at MetLIfe Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jets 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

ISN’T THIS WHERE WE EXPECTED THE JETS TO BE?

Forgetting all that has happened so far, think about the Jets schedule all by itself. Looking at the first five weeks, the Jets had the Bills, Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers, and Texans. Despite the Jets lofty goals, didn’t we realistically expect the Jets to come out of this stretch 2-3. The Jets play well against young quarterbacks, so they beat Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins. The Jets are a better team than the Bills, the Jets won. Honestly, even with Revis and Holmes, the Texans, 49ers, and Steelers are all better than the Jets. Was it really a stretch to see the Jets lose to all of these teams?

Taking what we have viewed with our eyes out of the equation, and just look at it on paper, the Jets are exactly where we expected them to be at this point. Despite the under performing defense, the less than potent offense, and the injuries, the Jets are exactly where we expected them to be after five weeks.

We can’t be overly upset about that.

THE SCHEDULE GETS BETTER

After this rough patch at the beginning of the season, the Jets run into a soft patch in the schedule over the next five weeks. These are the next five opponents for the Jets: Colts, Patriots, Dolphins, Seahawks, and Rams.

The Jets have always played well against rookie quarterbacks. In this upcoming stretch, the Jets face three, Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, and Russell Wilson. The Jets face an old friend when they face Brian Schottenheimer and the Rams. They also bring a young quarterback in Sam Bradford. Obviously we won’t assume a win against Brady up in New England, but it is not unreasonable that the Jets win 4 out of 5 of these games.

That would put the Jets at 6-4 for the stretch run, which is a position I think that we all would sign up for.

Fear not, Jets fans, stay positive. The team is going to be OK.