Jets-Colts: Can Rex Ryan get the New York Jets past Indianapolis?
Jets-Colts Preview: The New York Jets could not stop the Indianapolis Colts in last year's AFC Championship, but they are looking to reverse that trend on Saturday night. The NFL season begins again today with the start of Wildcard Weekend.
New York Jets players listen in a huddle to quarterback Mark Sanchez, second from left, during NFL Football practice Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in Florham Park, N.J. The Jets are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 8 in Indianapolis.
Mel Evans/AP
The offense of the Indianapolis Colts has been playing extremely well, and the defense has come alive. The New York Jets must put pressure on Peyton Manning to have a chance to pull out a victory.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan's season has been ended twice in the playoffs by the Colts, last year and once when he was the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
But are the Jets emotionally ready to win this playoff game? Ryan says it's personal.
"We are not going to Indianapolis to lose," Ryan said. "We are going there to win. This is about this year, and I've waited a full year for this."
"I don't know when I'm going to beat him, but I want it to be Saturday night," he said. "Is it personal? Yes, it's personal.
It's personal against him, Reggie Wayne, all those guys, yeah. (Dwight) Freeney, and (Robert) Mathis and those other dudes? Absolutely.
"We're not going there to lose.
We're going there to win," Ryan said Monday. "That's our mentality. That's my mentality. Always will be. I'm not apologizing for feeling this way. I believe in our football team. I know that's an excellent team we're playing, but they're getting our best shot."
If the New York Jets win tonight's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, they’ll visit the New England Patriots next week, while a victory for the Colts will send them to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.
While praising Peyton Manning for his attention to detail and studying opponents, Ryan took a shot at Tom Brady.
"Nobody studies like him [Manning]. I know Brady thinks he does," Ryan said. "I think there's a little more help from [Bill] Belichick with Brady than there is with Peyton Manning."
Talk about fresh bulletin-board material for Belichick to use to fire up his team.
Ryan is always looking forward, but the Jets must focus on the immediate task at hand by defeating the Colts, then the zingers can begin.