NFL Update: Peyton Manning could again crush Rex Ryans' playoff dreams
For New York Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan, this time it’s personal. The Jets would be facing the Indianapolis Colts at their home this Saturday as the playoffs kickoff. “We are not going to Indianapolis to lose,” Ryan said on Monday. “We are going there to
win.”
That probably was the idea last year too but things didn’t work out so well. Peyton Manning ended up decimating the New York Jets. While the Colts have struggled in the regular season, Manning has been his exceptional self. So far, Ryan has been beaten twice
already in the playoffs by Manning and he would surely not want to see that happen again this Saturday. Ryan hasn’t yet been able to beat the Colts' quarterback.
“I don't know when I'm going to beat him, but I want it to be Saturday night,” Ryan said. “Is it personal? Yes, it's personal. It's personal against him, Reggie Wayne, all those guys, yeah. (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis and those other dudes? Absolutely.”
Ryan has been frustrated by Manning more than any other Colt and even possibly any other player in the NFL. As the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, Ryan’s defence was beaten 5 times and snatched just one victory over Manning. For all his frustration
and his desire to beat Manning, Ryan has a lot of respect for the veteran. He admitted that there was no way for a team to stop Manning but he could be contained to the point that you don’t get beaten by Manning himself or allow too many points to be scored.
“It kills you,” Ryan said. “You fight so hard to get into the playoffs and when you lose, it's devastating. He added that he and his team want to turn the tables on the Colts this time and make them experience losing out in the playoffs against the Jets.
One thing working for Ryan is the fact that the Colts are dealing with a lot of injuries. 17 Indianapolis players have been put on injured reserve this season. However, the Colts are still a formidable opponent and it would be a grave mistake to under estimate
Peyton Manning. Ryan would have to prepare the Jets as best as he can for the challenges ahead.
Ryan said that last year the Jets believed that they could win and believed that they had an excellent football team but others doubted them. “'We backed into the playoffs.' I don't remember backing into anything,” Ryan said about the team's playoff performance
last year.
The road game wouldn’t bother the Jets or Ryan because this season they have been exceptionally good on the road. New York prevailed in 6 of their 8 road games. That success would give them the confidence they need in Indianapolis. The Jets had an amazing
season until they ran into the New England Patriots. In the aftermath of that crushing defeat in week 13, the Jets lost two more games but ended the season on a high with a win over Buffalo.
The start of the season was less than ideal for the Colts but they bounced back strong. They have won every game since week 14 and have been virtually unstoppable in their four game winning streak. In those last weeks, Manning has thrown just two interceptions
against 9 touchdowns and has been sacked just 3 times. His passer ratings average for the last 4 weeks has been almost a 100 and his average for the season is 91.9. Manning is one of the best in the league and the Jets understand what facing him in the playoffs
means.
Many of the Jets share the same feelings as Ryan. LaDainian Tomlinson said that anytime a team gets a chance against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, it is personal. But it isn’t just about Manning. The objective is first and foremost to defeat
the Colts. Putting pressure on Manning and forcing him to make mistakes or at least keep him from ‘lighting up the scoreboard’ is a means to that end.
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