Thursday Night May Determine Jets’ Season Fate

Oct 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick (left) and New York Jets coach Rex Ryan shake hands after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Farrell/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Another year, and another battle with our friends from New England. We have grown all too accustomed to this, have we not? Every time we play this team, there are major ramifications. It’s nothing something that I really want to acknowledge, because no matter what the circumstances are, coach Ryan always has this team looking at this game like it is the Super Bowl. He certainly does not need any help pumping this game up, but in fact he has it. This game on Thursday night may actually determine the Jets fate and playoff hopes going forward.

It’s not so much about that game, per se, as it is about the Jets schedule going forward. After the Patriots, the Jets have the Cardinals, the Jaguars, the Chargers, the Titans and the Bills. Is any one of these games absolutely a loss? No way. Are they guaranteed wins? Of course not, you cannot guarantee any game this year with the Jets. We have seen the highs and the lows, and the fact is, you don’t know what you are going to get with this team.

The fact remains that it is possible. It is not out of the realm of possibility that the Jets could run the table over the last 5 games. That’s how this team draws us all in. Isn’t that right, Jets fans? This team can take just a little bit of momentum and have it change an entire season. The Jets can run the table, or for all we know, they could have the other Jets show up and not win another game. Maybe that is why us Jets fans have heart issues, and lose our hair.

Now, add to that schedule over the last five games, the emotional high the team will be on if they find a way to win the game on Thursday night. Yes, the Patriots will be without Rob Gronkowski, but it is not as if he is their only weapon. The Patriots are always a tough game, no matter who is on the roster, and that will not change on Thursday night. Can you imagine how the Jets will feel about themselves, heading into that soft schedule, after beating the New England Patriots?

The team could very well take that emotional high, and ride the wave of it for the rest of 2012. Would it definitely mean running the table? No, but it could. The Jets could take a win over New England, and ride that through a soft schedule to a 10-6 record. Even with a loss they still could run the table to go 9-7. But, we know how fickle this team is, the emotions often dictate how things are going to go. A win against the Patriots on Thursday night could be the springboard for a great finish. On the other hand, a loss could be the straw that breaks their backs, and sends them into a season ending tail spin. Well, I could be wrong, the Jets seem to play quite well amidst controversy, but I don’t think we should bank on/count on that.

My point, despite the fact that Rex always pumps this game up to be the biggest game of each season, this time he might actually be correct. This game may actually determine how things are going to go the rest of the way.

Hey, the big guy can finally hype one for good reason.