Saturday's game a test for Rex Ryan
This is by no means meant to diminish what Rex Ryan’s Jets accomplished Sunday night, because we all know the Jets’ DNA called for a not-so-illuminating performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ve teased their fans far too many times over the years to expect them to play as dominating as they did.
>> PHOTOS: Jets playoff history
But now that they’re in the playoffs, the cold hard truth is that their overwhelmingly positive 37-0 victory over the Bengals is no different today than had they eked out a 7-6 win.
That undoubtedly will be Ryan’s message to his players Monday afternoon, and how successfully he sells those words will prove to be the biggest test of his evolution as a coach. Because we’ll find out how good a coach Ryan is Saturday afternoon when the Jets and Bengals play a game that matters to both teams.
In his first year as Jets coach, Ryan has been an incredibly welcome respite from the days of Eric Mangini, whose bland personality and secretive ways sucked all the life, energy and fun out of the Jets' entire organization, from the players all the way down to the unpaid interns.
We love Ryan’s refreshing candor, comedic timing and his overall I-don’t-care-what-you-think-of-me attitude. But is a good NFL head coach? We can’t answer that question quite yet, and neither can the Jets. He’s made his share of rookie mistakes, most notable on clock management. But he also deserves credit for the we-won’t-be-denied way his team treated Sunday night’s must-win game against the Bengals.
The reason why Saturday’s game is a test for the coach more than anyone else is because of the opponent and the unique circumstances. Although the Bengals certainly didn’t expect to lose the way they did, coach Marvin Lewis and company also undoubtedly kept their best plays, schemes and overall game plan under wraps, knowing full well the likelihood of facing the Jets again on Saturday in the first round.
Of course Ryan’s Jets didn’t have that luxury, with their inconsistent play all season forcing them into a win-and-in scenario. But now the Jets have to be smart enough to know they have to do something different on Saturday, that history won’t repeat itself only if they play the same mistake-free game.
Ryan and his staff must realize that the Bengals will be ready for any play involving Brad Smith, intent on not letting him run all over the field for a second week in a row. And let’s face it: no matter how good the Jets defense can be when its going good, Carson Palmer won’t go 1-for-11 with no touchdowns and one pick. And Chad Ochocinco will catch at least one pass.
It won’t be as easy as 37-0.
Now we’ve entered the chess-match portion of the football season, when teams have watched all the tapes of opponents and the Bill Belichicks of the league rise to the top. If the Jets get blown out on Saturday, Ryan will have been wildly out-coached. But if the Jets win and advance, beating the same team two straight games in must-win scenarios, then he will have officially arrived as a worthy NFL coach.
Which is it, Rex?
>> PHOTOS: Jets playoff history | Jets 37, Bengals 0
