Ryan: Jets' record says they're the best team

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rex Ryan was the one unafraid to say it: His 5-1 Jets, sporting the league's best record heading into their bye week, just might be the best team in the NFL.

"It's hard to say we're not the best team in the league," Ryan said Monday. "Our record says we're the best, but I think this team can really improve."

On the heels of their great escape at Denver on Sunday, the Jets have all the momentum they can handle as they scatter to all parts for the week, not required to come back until Sunday. Some older bodies get to rest, some younger, banged-up bodies get to heal. It may seem as though the Jets would rather not slow down after five straight wins, but the break is here and they are welcoming it.

"Nobody wants to jeopardize what we have going," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "We talked about it, about everybody being smart, taking care of themselves and getting some rest."

Darrelle Revis is one of the Jets who could use the bye to heal his hamstring, which was not fully healed in Denver but is improving. He will remain at the Jets' facility all week to rehab.

"It's kind of a relief, but it's a good one," Revis said of having two weeks before the next game. "We're 5-1, the locker room is very upbeat, guys are excited. I think guys will be ready to come back next week."

The team reviewed video of the 24-20 win over the Broncos and saw lots of room for improvement, but also something Ryan said is becoming a hallmark of this team.

"We made plenty of mistakes, a ton of mistakes, yet we never gave up faith. We thought it was our day," Ryan said. "I see the confidence we have in each other and how hard we play for each other. We don't quit."

Ryan and Santonio Holmes also got confirmation on the 46-yard pass-interference call on the Broncos' Renaldo Hill on fourth-and-6 late in the game that helped the Jets to the win. There was some outcry as to whether it was interference, but Hill clearly tugged on Holmes' facemask.

"It was a professional call,'' Ryan said. "It was the right call." And it helped save the Jets from entering the bye on a downer.

"You definitely don't want those bad thoughts for two weeks," Jim Leonhard said. "It's too long to think about it. And 5-1 is very different than 4-2, so we feel good, even though we're not sitting back and acting like we've done too much."

Ryan wasn't afraid to say where he thinks his team sits now, but Tomlinson, who has seen more than a few great regular seasons fade before reaching the ultimate goal, was more cautious.

"I think it's too early. We're definitely one of the best, but to prove you're the best, that takes time," said Tomlinson, who is sixth in the league with 490 rushing yards. "We're going to have our opportunities to prove how good we are and we'll see then."

But for now, some rest.

Notes & quotes: Ryan said TE Dustin Keller will have an MRI on his wrist after suffering an injury Sunday.