New York Jets fans remember Jan. 12, 1969, well. It was the day their team defeated the 17 1/2-point favorite Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Rex Ryan isn’t making any Joe Namath-like guarantees for Sunday’s game against the eight-point favorite San Diego Chargers, but the Jets coach remains confident as usual.
"If someone wants to take us lightly, that’s fine," Ryan told the New York Post. "We’ll go ahead and run right through them."
The Jets eliminated the Chargers from the playoffs five years ago. A Jets win on Sunday will lead to an AFC Championship game matchup with the Indianapolis Colts or the Baltimore Ravens.
"When somebody asked me what scenario I would like to see most, it would be us hosting the Ravens," Ryan said in the Post. "I think both of us would sign up for that right now."
At least one Jets player believes in the team’s playoff chances because of its coach.
"We believe in us because we know Coach Ryan believes in us," said center Nick Mangold in the Post. "He comes out and says we have the best offensive line in football. We make sure we don't make him look silly."
The Jets were 2 1/2-point underdogs to the Bengals last weekend and won 24-14.
