The New York Jets are somehow in the AFC Championship Game. That's right. The team that was, according to their coach, "out of the playoffs" after their Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons is one game away from a trip to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. This is the same group of players that got off to a 3-0 start then managed to lose six of their next seven games. Now they have won seven of their last eight with some help during that stretch. That includes teams who lost as well as teams who rested key starters in the latter part of the season. This rollercoaster of a season continues this Sunday when the Jets take on the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game. These are the same Colts who benched key starters late in the third quarter of their matchup with the Jets in Week 16. Controversy has followed ever since and it all comes full circle now that both teams are facing off again for the right to go to the Super Bowl. It is still hard to believe.
If the Colts lose this game, there will be riots in the streets of Indianapolis. It can be argued that the Colts are the reason why the Jets are even here. Even though Indianapolis only led 15-10 when their starters were pulled from the game, many believe the Jets would not have won. No one will EVER know, but if a bet had to be made, the Colts probably would have pulled it off. Manning has struggled in the postseason before and has lost home playoff games in the past. The entire team looked sharp in last Sunday's 20-3 win against the Ravens, a team that is known for their road playoff success. A late touchdown pass at the end of the first half really hurt Baltimore's chances of coming out on top. The Colts defense is certainly underrated and could be a concern for the Jets. They are awfully quick and could slow the running game down. The Jets' bread and butter is pounding the ball. We will see who gets the edge.
Now we get to the Jets. A team full of young players who jumped out to a fast start this season. Then they hit rock bottom. Then soared again. Now they are one game away from football's biggest game. A rookie quarterback at the helm who basically has been instructed to make a few key plays and not screw up. In the end, that's what he has done so far in these playoffs. The running game has been the league's best all year. They were shut down in the first half of their divisional game against the Chargers, but eventually wore down their opponent with the tandem of Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and a stellar offensive line. Their defense flustered Philip Rivers, especially in the 2nd half, which included a Jim Leonard interception to set up the Jets' first touchdown. Even though the Jets were 9-7 during the regular season, they have a bunch of talent on this team. Young talent that should give the Jets a promising future. However, these opportunities do not come around very often. Just ask Dan Marino, who went to the Super Bowl in his first season only to never return again during the rest of his career. The Jets have a chance to do something incredible Sunday. If they pull it off, what an upset and story it would be. Suffering Jets fans, many of which have never seen their team reach the Super Bowl, could be rejoicing by Sunday evening. As a devoted fan, I hope that will be the case.
Shawn Marosek
The Philadelphia Phillies have secured yet another man in their rotation for at least the next three years after signing right-hander Joe Blanton to a three-year, $24 million dollar extension. After trading for ace Roy Halladay this offseason, the Phillies are surely the favorite to repeat in the National League East. However, the Blanton deal baffles me. How can he possible be worth that much money? He is an OK pitcher who can be pretty good at times, but $8 million per season for a guy with a lifetime ERA of 4.21! I guess signing an average pitcher, who is RIGHT-HANDED, is not an easy thing to do. If he was left-handed and could throw 90 mph, maybe I could understand this move, but he's not that at all.
