cygweb

This week was one of the two weeks per season where I don't root for the Jets. (Sorry, Don.) They are for real, showing a lot of composure in the fourth quarter to beat the Bills today. Mark and Robin had us over for the game; their Dish network package includes the NY CBS station.

I beg to differ about the Jets. As much as I love Gang Green, the fact that each game has ended up as a nail-biter shows me that they have a long way to go before I can call them "for real".

The only similarity between the Jets and Patsies is their 4-0 records. Beyond that, they are far from being equals.

Well, I have to admit I haven't seen much of the Jets this year, but between Chrebet's third down catches and the capable drive at the end of the game to get the winning FG, I thought they looked OK. I think the Bills currently have the fourth-ranked defense.

Winning close ones is a quality of a championship team. It's good to know in close games they do not fold and that they have guys that raise to the occasion.

There's a difference between being a team that wins close games and a team that squanders leads to create close games, though:

Week 1: Leading 21-10, they let the Bengals come within a touchdown. Thank God Curtis Martin had the best Week 1 of his career. Jets 31, Bengals 24.

Week 2: Led 27-7 at one point. Final: Jets 34, Chargers 28.

Week 4: OK, they shut down the Dolphins in the second half. Jets 17, Fish 9.

Week 5: Blew a 13-point lead and needed a late field goal and a walk-off interception to put away the now 0-4 Bills. 16-14 final.

As much as I love the Jets, my enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that they can barely hold a 3rd quarter lead. My hope is that with the bye week out of the way, they can gain momentum and get better in time for the playoffs.

I see what you are saying, but the way the NFL is today, playing close games does not make one a bad team. The Patriots won the majority of their 19 games in close fashion. The Jets could be doing what the Cardinals and the Seahawks did yesterday and that is lose. The Jets just got past at least two teams that have a quality defense, lets see how the season progresses. BTW, I am a Steelers fan and I am not complaining about any win they get. :)