Let’s get it out of our system: The Viking game was embarrassing. We did not look like a team peaking at the end and getting the job done. Et cetera.
Now, let’s get a little perspective on where we actually are.
It has looked for weeks like the last game at New England would decide the AFC East. It appeared briefly as though we might not even need it, after the Pats’ loss last Monday. Now we do need it. Big deal. As far as the standings go, we’re really no worse off than we expected to be a month ago. We need to win next week, just like we expected to all along.
(By the way, the Jets can win the division by winning their last two games, if we also lose next week.)
We are not out of the hunt for a first-round bye, incredible as it seems. It’s true we need help, but one of the games we need to go our way is a Steelers loss. They play Monday night in Tampa. I’d say that looks good.
I do not relish the prospect of stumbling into the playoffs as a 9-7 wild card, having lost our last two. But that’s a possibility also, and I’d rather be in the playoffs than out of them, as the gloating Jets and Bills fans floating around here will be the first to agree.
I don’t think all this blather about road games, cold games, or history makes any difference. But if it makes you feel any better, we’ve won two out of our last three in New England. And yes, one of those wins (2000) was in December, in the last game of the season.
Now, let’s get a little perspective on where we actually are.
It has looked for weeks like the last game at New England would decide the AFC East. It appeared briefly as though we might not even need it, after the Pats’ loss last Monday. Now we do need it. Big deal. As far as the standings go, we’re really no worse off than we expected to be a month ago. We need to win next week, just like we expected to all along.
(By the way, the Jets can win the division by winning their last two games, if we also lose next week.)
We are not out of the hunt for a first-round bye, incredible as it seems. It’s true we need help, but one of the games we need to go our way is a Steelers loss. They play Monday night in Tampa. I’d say that looks good.
I do not relish the prospect of stumbling into the playoffs as a 9-7 wild card, having lost our last two. But that’s a possibility also, and I’d rather be in the playoffs than out of them, as the gloating Jets and Bills fans floating around here will be the first to agree.
I don’t think all this blather about road games, cold games, or history makes any difference. But if it makes you feel any better, we’ve won two out of our last three in New England. And yes, one of those wins (2000) was in December, in the last game of the season.
