Jets Vs Patriots Playoff Game - Rex Ryan Taking the Game Away from His Players May Lead to a Big Loss?

Jets vs. Patriots playoff game today will find the viewers with more than just the Jets and New England players in mind. With Rex Ryan vowing that this game is about Rex Ryan vs. Bill Belichick, the game takes on a new dimension for the players.

The Patriots are favorites to win by 9 points, according to the Bleacher Report, and with the fuel that Ryan has given to New England by way of "trash talk," chances of that 9 point lead are very good. Bill Belichick on the other hand, has put the game in the hands of his New England players, in the gentlemanly fashion people are accustom to coming from this distinguished Patriots coach.

The burly Jets coach, Rex Ryan, has made this game "personal" and claims it is a game all about the coaches, "Rex Ryan vs. Bill Benichick." Bill Benichick who put the game back in the hands of the players by saying, "he is sure that he will not be out on the field doing any tackling."

What is going to motivate these teams to the win? As far as the psychological part of the game for the Jets players, Rex Ryan's controversial "trash talk" of New England has the Jets players constantly defending what their coach, Rex Ryan is saying. This is enough to wear out the Jets key players.

On the other hand, New England, who has followed the example of their gentleman coach, Bill Belichick, the fact that they could not lash out against Rex Ryans digs this past week, may add fuel to their fire. There is only one way to stifle the Jets coach for the Patriots, and that is with a win.

Bill Belichick is respected by his players, and other than the brilliant play on foot puns from Wes Weckler at Thursday's press conference, not a word has been uttered against their opponents. Even Weckler's press conference kept well under the radar of being offensive.

Friday's interviews with the Jets players saw shoulders being shrugged, canned responses that "Rex Ryan is just being Rex Ryan," and a player with their heads in their hands as responses to the media from the players. The media asked for some comments on their coaches outlook about the game being between the coaches and this was the response they got, according to the NY Times.

The Jets have gone from defending their coach to making excuses for him, which does not bode well for the teams psyche on their way into the field today.

This is the time for the Jets players to have their 15 minutes of fame in front of the crowds. They need to feel that importance of coming this far with the team and they need to hear how they as individuals help bring the team to the playoffs. Instead each time a microphone is put in front of their mouths, it is to answer a question about the renegade coach Rex Ryan. Could this be working in a negative way for the Jets players? Yes, it could!

Reference: NY Times, Bleacher Report