This is Biggest Game in mangina's career

[afosomf]

If he cannot beat Mumbles team, with matty Cass at QB, a law firm

running the ball, a secondary that has more holes than a cheap vegas

hooker...then when will he evah beat them? next year with cindy back

at helm?

I do not care if we end up at 10-6, EM will never amount to anything

if we lose tomorrow season is kaput

This years record is more a product of how easy the schedule is and how weak the AFC has become this year..It will be one and done.

Prove me wrong "Fredo" tomorrow night and you will not hear another

bad word from me.... evah!!!

Lose and Just get the F out!!!

That said i want a F'n blowout

Jets win 28-10!!!!!!!!!!

Hint- when faulk is in the game, he will get ball via draws or screens...Hello!!

Need to Pound Welker on all these short passes!!! and make cassell pay

for running! I expect no less than 4 sacks!!

Moss will not be a factor.

Favre will need to throw the ball well via worst secondary in league. This

will set up run. Cotch and Keller should have big nites

Leon will need to be main focus, pats cannot match up with him. Use him

like Faulk, TJ will not be a factor IMO, pats strength is front line.

[NIGHT STALKER]

And the well all of a sudden becomes dry one day. That's the story of the Patsies...they've been able to mix and match pretty damn well over the past few seasons with guys filling in certain spots.

There is no better time than Thursday night for the Jets to drain that well...put the women and children to bed. Let's roll!

[afosomf]

And the well all of a sudden becomes dry one day. That's the story of the Patsies...they've been able to mix and match pretty damn well over the past few seasons with guys filling in certain spots.

There is no better time than Thursday night for the Jets to drain that well...put the women and children to bed. Let's roll!

No excuses this time..on paper we are better team

Mumbles is losing sleep over Leon, terrible matchup for him..he is

praying TJ gets the rock 25x

[JohnnyHector]

I would argue that the Wild Card game against the Pats in '06 was a bigger game, but certainly will be the most important regular season game he has coached to date.

[afosomf]

I would argue that the Wild Card game against the Pats in '06 was a bigger game, but certainly will be the most important regular season game he has coached to date.

That was on house money, pats were better team

We have more talent on "paper"

Lose and it is about "coaching"

[DMaynard]

I would argue that the Wild Card game against the Pats in '06 was a bigger game, but certainly will be the most important regular season game he has coached to date.

But this game is more important for Mangini (and us). In the playoff game, the Pats clearly had the better team and Mangini was a rookie HC. They Jets were supposed to lose and did. Mangini got a pass.

Now Mangini has the better team and no excuses.

[DMaynard]

If he cannot beat Mumbles team, with matty Cass at QB, a law firm

running the ball, a secondary that has more holes than a cheap vegas

hooker...then when will he evah beat them? next year with cindy back

at helm?

I do not care if we end up at 10-6, EM will never amount to anything

if we lose tomorrow season is kaput

This years record is more a product of how easy the schedule is and how weak the AFC has become this year..It will be one and done.

Prove me wrong "Fredo" tomorrow night and you will not hear another

bad word from me.... evah!!!

Lose and Just get the F out!!!

That said i want a F'n blowout

Jets win 28-10!!!!!!!!!!

Hint- when faulk is in the game, he will get ball via draws or screens...Hello!!

Need to Pound Welker on all these short passes!!! and make cassell pay

for running! I expect no less than 4 sacks!!

Moss will not be a factor.

Favre will need to throw the ball well via worst secondary in league. This

will set up run. Cotch and Keller should have big nites

Leon will need to be main focus, pats cannot match up with him. Use him

like Faulk, TJ will not be a factor IMO, pats strength is front line.

Excellent post. I agree about Mangini. This is it. The Jets win and I accept him as the Jets coach as long as Woody does and you will not hear a peep out of me about our coaching. We lose this one, the season is over and I want a new coaching staff.

No excuses.

[NJ]

The Jets thankfully are not the same team they were in week 2 but neither are the Patsies. Difference being the Jets have started to mature with the ton of personel changes they implemented this season while the Chowds have really just adjusted to changes in their offensive backfield and gotten older and slower. We have a ways to go in evolving to a consistantly dominant team on both sides of the ball, but we should be good enough at this point to beat the Pats.

All bets are off if either the offensive or defensive game plans are garbage and have been overthought. Yes the players still have to play the game, but I'm not confident the CS won't hose this up. Not yet anyway.

[JohnnyHector]

That was on house money, pats were better team

We have more talent on "paper"

Lose and it is about "coaching"

So by that rationale, the Giants were playing with "house money" last year and should've just been happy to be playing in Arizona in February? How about the Jets in '69?

I see your take on this, but sorry, there's no way that a regular season game is more important than a playoff game - even if you're a massive underdog. If the Jets win tomorrow and then lose to Buffalo and Miami, what did they really gain by beating the Pats in mid-November?

[afosomf]

So by that rationale, the Giants were playing with "house money" last year and should've just been happy to be playing in Arizona in February? How about the Jets in '69?

I see your take on this, but sorry, there's no way that a regular season game is more important than a playoff game - even if you're a massive underdog. If the Jets win tomorrow and then lose to Buffalo and Miami, what did they really gain by beating the Pats in mid-November?

If we do not win tomorrow, this team is not legit...sorry that is how i feel!

sure we could sneak in playoffs, but we are still pretender!! If making

playoffs is your end goal than zippity do da day!!!

Next year with healthier pats and favre in 'high horse' hunting wabbits

what is Jets plan then?

[Jetlag]

Afosomf, You are wrong. Winning this game is NOT the telling sign of whether this team will amount to anything.

What IS the sign is going at least 1-1 in the next two weeks. If they lose to the Pats, which they won't, and then go into Tennessee and beat the undefeated Titans, it still proves this team is a true contender.

[afosomf]

Afosomf, You are wrong. Winning this game is NOT the telling sign of whether this team will amount to anything.

What IS the sign is going at least 1-1 in the next two weeks. If they lose to the Pats, which they won't, and then go into Tennessee and beat the undefeated Titans, it still proves this team is a true contender.

I do not give a crap about a Tenn, pats are biggest rival

if EM cannot get over hump and beat a very average pats team then

he is useless to me.

[RallyFunnayJet]

I agree, in '06 the Jets weren't supposed to be anything special. This year we have the talent, we have the momentum...the pressures on

[Jetlag]

I do not give a crap about a Tenn, pats are biggest rival

if EM cannot get over hump and beat a very average pats team then

he is useless to me.

Honestly I wouldn't sweat it either way. The Jets are about to go 2-0.

[JohnnyHector]

If we do not win tomorrow, this team is not legit...sorry that is how i feel!

sure we could sneak in playoffs, but we are still pretender!! If making

playoffs is your end goal than zippity do da day!!!

Next year with healthier pats and favre in 'high horse' hunting wabbits

what is Jets plan then?

I agree that tomorrow is a good litmus test for the team and that it's an important game, but is not more important than any playoff game. They will still have 6 games to play and even if they win tomorrow, it could very well mean nothing if they lose to Buffalo and Miami, as it would probably mean they lose the divisional tiebreaker to the Pats. What if they lose 4 of their last 6?

Making the playoffs is not my "end goal" - I'm actually arguing the opposite, as you were the one who was just happy to be in the playoffs in '06, since the Jets were "playing with house money" as you stated...

[jetslove]

we need 2 activate clowney.. he did awesome during preseason and we need a fast runner to get upfield 1st play for a td

[afosomf]

I agree that tomorrow is a good litmus test for the team and that it's an important game, but is not more important than any playoff game. They will still have 6 games to play and even if they win tomorrow, it could very well mean nothing if they lose to Buffalo and Miami, as it would probably mean they lose the divisional tiebreaker to the Pats. What if they lose 4 of their last 6?

Making the playoffs is not my "end goal" - I'm actually arguing the opposite, as you were the one who was just happy to be in the playoffs in '06, since the Jets were "playing with house money" as you stated...

Now we have the talent..no F'n excuses

the AFC is very weak, and is ripe for taken

this team needs to make it to AFC championship game

[ZachEY]

With regard to the secondary analogy. I'm young, and still learning, so perhaps you could help me out.

What is the differential in 'holes' between a cheap vegas hooker, and an expensive vegas hooker?

This will help me grasp your concept even further. Thanks.

[Garb]

No excuses this time..on paper we are better team

Mumbles is losing sleep over Leon, terrible matchup for him..he is

praying TJ gets the rock 25x

Weather will be a major factor in the game. Mark my words.

They are saying that rain will be heavy at times throughout the night.

[CTM]

I would argue that the Wild Card game against the Pats in '06 was a bigger game, but certainly will be the most important regular season game he has coached to date.

Bah! Why? Cause if we won our season would get to end in the divisional round instead of the wild card round????

This is the game, this time we are the better team. Win this game, and it could/should propel us to legitimate contender status. Lose, and well, fugetaboutit

[DMaynard]

I agree that tomorrow is a good litmus test for the team and that it's an important game, but is not more important than any playoff game. They will still have 6 games to play and even if they win tomorrow, it could very well mean nothing if they lose to Buffalo and Miami, as it would probably mean they lose the divisional tiebreaker to the Pats. What if they lose 4 of their last 6?

Making the playoffs is not my "end goal" - I'm actually arguing the opposite, as you were the one who was just happy to be in the playoffs in '06, since the Jets were "playing with house money" as you stated...

Wrong. The Patriots are the arch enemy. The Patriots have owned the jets. if the jets don't beat the pats now, when they clearly have a more talented team, they never will. And being in the same division, playing them twice a year, they will never get anywhere.

[afosomf]

Weather will be a major factor in the game. Mark my words.

They are saying that rain will be heavy at times throughout the night.

Rain helps the jets IMO, glad i didn't make trip..watching a game in

pouring rain sucks

the last game i saw in fox, was the 6-3 game played in a typhoon

jets won that game, didn't see 2nd half, there was a foot a water in

concession area.

[Garb]

Rain helps the jets IMO, glad i didn't make trip..watching a game in

pouring rain sucks

the last game i saw in fox, was the 6-3 game played in a typhoon

jets won that game, didn't see 2nd half, there was a foot a water in

concession area.

Last time I buy a Jets/Pats ticket at Gillette. It always rains for this game! Hate that! And trust me, there is no way in hell I'm sitting out there getting rained on throughout the game. I'll find a spot under an over-hang and/or behind the handicapped section. People that sit there in the cold, pouring rain are nuts. I wish I were watching from the warm comforts of my home.

[JohnnyHector]

Now we have the talent..no F'n excuses

the AFC is very weak, and is ripe for taken

this team needs to make it to AFC championship game

Isn't the proper term that the "pig is ripe for the slaughter"?

[JohnnyHector]

Bah! Why? Cause if we won our season would get to end in the divisional round instead of the wild card round????

This is the game, this time we are the better team. Win this game, and it could/should propel us to legitimate contender status. Lose, and well, fugetaboutit

I'm not disagreeing that this game is huge (and that the '06 Jets were going nowhere)... but you can't tell me that a game in Week 11 of the season is more important than a playoff game as a singular event. There are still 6 weeks of football left after tomorrow and a couple of losses against inferior and/or divisional opponents in those games would negate a win tomorrow. The "rivalry" aspect of the game doesn't mean **** when it comes to the standings, aside from the fact that they're a divisional opponent.

[Kleckineau]

Last time I buy a Jets/Pats ticket at Gillette. It always rains for this game! Hate that! And trust me, there is no way in hell I'm sitting out there getting rained on throughout the game. I'll find a spot under an over-hang and/or behind the handicapped section. People that sit there in the cold, pouring rain are nuts. I wish I were watching from the warm comforts of my home.

"I wish I were watching from the warm comforts of my home."

OMG what would Troy think!!

Fairweather fan perhaps?

Hey just sell your tix and watch at home.

Reminds me of a Giants "fan" that I work with who has season seats.

Only goes if the weather is good (dry,warm etc). When the Giants were lousy would sell his game tix or only go if they were favored.

[afosomf]

Isn't the proper term that the "pig is ripe for the slaughter"?

That expression has not help this team win 1 game...sorry hambone!!

How bout

"Unleash the F'n Hounds"

[Garb]

"I wish I were watching from the warm comforts of my home."

OMG what would Troy think!!

Fairweather fan perhaps?

Hey just sell your tix and watch at home.

Reminds me of a Giants "fan" that I work with who has season seats.

Only goes if the weather is good (dry,warm etc). When the Giants were lousy would sell his game tix or only go if they were favored.

I've been going to Foxboro since I was 18, 19 years old. That was a long time ago. I've sent to games when you would have a better chance of seeing Gawd than seeing the Pats win. Been in typhoons - blizzards - even went to that Titans playoff game where it took me three days to defrost. I'm just too old and tired to sit there in the freezing rain. It is not a testament to my fandom - it's a testament to my age.

I can't sell the ticket. Like you said, it's Troy Brown night, and I have promised a couple of friends, who happen to be Jets fans, I would accompany them to the Razor. I can't let my friends down and I can't let Troy down. I'm sure he'll notice his big fan standing behind the handicapped folks in section 255. lol!

[CTM]

I'm not disagreeing that this game is huge (and that the '06 Jets were going nowhere)... but you can't tell me that a game in Week 11 of the season is more important than a playoff game as a singular event. There are still 6 weeks of football left after tomorrow and a couple of losses against inferior and/or divisional opponents in those games would negate a win tomorrow. The "rivalry" aspect of the game doesn't mean **** when it comes to the standings, aside from the fact that they're a divisional opponent.

This isn't about rivalry, it's about legitimacy.

We were a joke of a team in 06 so the game was meaningless to everyone except those who liked to worship the noodle arm..

If anything it probably set us back a year as we saw in the severely undermanned 2007 squad..

Win this game, and this fan starts to believe we're legit. Maybe the team does to. This is more important then getting a 7 day stay of execution in 2006...

[JohnnyHector]

This isn't about rivalry, it's about legitimacy.

We were a joke of a team in 06 so the game was meaningless to everyone except those who liked to worship the noodle arm..

If anything it probably set us back a year as we saw in the severely undermanned 2007 squad..

Win this game, and this fan starts to believe we're legit. Maybe the team does to. This is more important then getting a 7 day stay of execution in 2006...

I suppose that you're right, because I certainly didn't think much of the '06 team and a win in that Wild Card game in Foxboro would've been more fodder for all of the Chadaholics out there. There's almost zero chance that they beat New England, San Diego, and Indianapolis - all on the road - that year.

My original point really is that I don't really like the idea of dismissing a playoff game just because you're not expected to win.

[ZachEY]

The question that is bouncing around every Jet fan's mind right now is a simple one.

Are we a good team?

We look good on paper. Hell, we looked good on paper before the season started. We rallied behind Favre, and to an extent, after getting our hopes behind the bomb to Cotchery, he let us down. Too many INTs, too inconsistent, to damn scary. I used to be scared every time Pennington dropped back to pass, well, Favre, though he can make more happen, is no less scary.

Then, there's the defense, who's racking up sacks, stuffing the run, but getting thrown at constantly, beat underneath, and beat away from Rhodes are Revis.

In spite of all this, we're 6-3, some of those wins weren't pretty, and the losses, especially Oakland, were pretty damn ugly. But we're 6-3, and in a position to not only finish the season strong, but make a run at the playoffs and the division.

But, in 2006, we made our way into the playoffs but we still knew we weren't 'good'. We were happy for our season, but how many among us thought we had a real shot against the Patriots? Same in 2004, when we couldn't score more than 3 points of offense against the Steelers, before that in 2002, when the Raiders came out and embarrassed us. All this time, we enjoyed the ride, but I believe few of us thought we really had a shot.

Now, we look around the league, and the Tennessee Titans are undefeated, and we look at them, and we match up pretty well against them. The Steelers are a mess, the Colts are in the crapper, Denver fell off, Jacksonville is blah, Cleveland has disappointed, the Chargers, who may have kicked our asses, look like they're very beatable, and that leaves the Tom Brady-less Patriots. Who conveniently, we face, coming off a big, exciting, and uplifting win, this very thursday.

Well, to me, this game will answer the question of 'Are we a good team?'

Win it, and we will begin to believe. Lose it, and we hope to do what we've always done. Back into the playoffs behind the Pats and hope for the best.

I won't call this game a must win, because we can still make the playoffs without a win here, but we're about to find out a lot about this team. Let's hope we like what we find.

Go Jets!

[CTM]

Good post EY..

Pretty much where I land, but I think the effect on the psychology of the team can be dramatic as well. Beat the Pats and we could be propelled to a first round bye and a home playoff game, which combined we haven't done since the last time we were legit contenders - 1998

[SMC]

So by that rationale, the Giants were playing with "house money" last year and should've just been happy to be playing in Arizona in February? How about the Jets in '69?

I see your take on this, but sorry, there's no way that a regular season game is more important than a playoff game - even if you're a massive underdog. If the Jets win tomorrow and then lose to Buffalo and Miami, what did they really gain by beating the Pats in mid-November?

You're missing the point, JH.

Of course, playoff games are more important that regular season games. But you're making your argument in a vacuum.

A lot has happened since January 2007 when the Jets played the Pats in the playoffs.

Mangini has a career losing record since then, is 1-5 overall against Mumbles, and has a better team than the Pats. The Jets also have the better QB.

Personally, for Eric Mangini as a Head Coach, this is pivotal game of his career. Jets lose this game, Mangini would be 1-6 against his mentor, losing twice with the Pats having Matt Cassel. The Jets would be 6-4 and facing a buzzsaw next week against the Titans. This would be a demoralizing loss for the coaching staff and players.

Can we say Pete Carroll and the Spike Game? The Jets were in similar situation with the division on the line, lost to Miami and the season spiralled out of control.

[Garb]

Lets be serious for a moment here:

The Jets should win this game since they are facing a depleted Pats team. BB can just do so much. The Thomas injury may be the one that breaks the camels back. So, if all falls into the place like it should - wouldn't next weeks game be the biggest of his career? You guys arer letting emotions win over logic.

[GreenReaper]

I'm feeling confident that what I've seen from this Jets team over the last two games is a transition from the typical lack of confidence SOJ teams of the post Parcells era, to a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

The demeaner of the team has been transformed, by not only the acquisition of talent, but by players who can still play at a high level - that have those rings on their fingers. Favre, Faneca, D'Woody. Even TJ wants to get back to the Supe and get one. Ty Law can see it too. He's a shrewd businessman. And comming to a team that can legitimately compete for a Lombardi Trophy, is simply a good sound business move. He's here not to be a lockeroom lawyer disturbance; but to compete for another ring of glory with his bro Revis, and favorite coach Mangini. They are leaders in that lockeroom. 34-0 and 40-0 1st halves is dominance! They know enough talent has been assembled to get it done. They have been taking aside the younger, less confident players, and looking them in the eye, telling them that we can do it.

The ups and downs chemistry phase is now giving way to a higher level of performance due to the leadership that has now taken over that lockeroom.

Jets will go into Foxboro confident and focused. With a purpose. Execute the gameplan and take the AFCE...and they will!