The New York Jets got us to buy in, and then let us down. It was like the kid expecting Jordans for Christmas but getting Mike’s wack, unofficial ones. It was like someone using an old, good-looking photo on a dating website, instead of their current, unattractive one. It was going for the zonk in the big pretty box on “The Price Is Right,” instead of the cash in Wayne Brady’s hand. I can hear Jean Carne’s “Was That All There Was” playing in the background.
The 10-6 Jets, who improved from 4-12 last year, ended what could have been a fairy-tale season, a playoff opportunity and a five-game win streak with scenes from an epic horror movie, starring their former head coach, now Buffalo’s, Rex Ryan.
There were Buffalo’s infiltration of Revis Island; Muhammad Wilkerson’s leg-breaking injury during the third quarter; costly penalties caused by defensemen Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson; and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s three devastating fourth-quarter interceptions and inability to orchestrate enough points to overcome the 22-17 defeat by Buffalo, the Jets second loss to them this season.
Ryan, who has had a somewhat difficult season, finishing 8-8 in his first year in Buffalo, his second head coaching position, has repeatedly down played the revenge factor, or motive, in regards to the Jets, the team he coached for six years until this season. “I want them to be successful, but not at my expense,” said Ryan.
Ryan’s Bills were able to force some errors Sunday, in addition to the self-inflicted ones caused by the Jets. It was like they were playing against two different teams at the same time. Buffalo and themselves, as described by Jets’s head coach Todd Bowles. “We beat ourselves, and they made some plays to help us beat ourselves,” he said.
“We lost,” continued the first-year coach. “We own it. We made some strides. We didn’t make enough. From where we came from, we got better. We have a long way to go. It should help us propel into next year, understanding what we have to do, and work harder, and win more games.”
Even so, the Jets’ loss left a lump of coal in our Christmas stocking. There was nothing shared for Kwaanza. The anticipation—making you wait—for absolutely nothing. They were a touchdown away from postseason football. I’m reminded of Spike Lee’s description of being hoodwinked and bamboozled.
