If the struggling New York Jets needed some inspiration before their game against the New England Patriots, they should have checked out Rex Ryan on Sunday NFL Countdown.
The Jets are 2-5 and one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams, but Ryan thinks they can win their way back into playoff contention thanks to a “soft” remaining schedule.
Countdown host Mike Greenberg challenged the analyst to make that case Sunday and pick the Jets’ wins and losses in the final 10 games.
“You keep saying the schedule is such that they should be able to play their way back into it,” Greenberg told Ryan. “I’m going to ask you to put your picks where your mouth is. Here are the remainder of their games. How are they going to do?”
“Speaking of soft … this is like the softest schedule ever, I think I’ve ever seen in a 10-game schedule,” Ryan began.
Ryan, who it must be pointed out served as Jets head coach from 2009-2014, plunged ahead. In the process, he hilariously threw some of the Jets upcoming opponents under the bus:
• On the Nov. 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals: “Cardinals? You worried about that? Stop.” Ryan said, sliding the button to “Win.”
• On the Indianapolis Colts game the following week: “The Colts got the worst dang defense you’ve ever seen for a decent football team.”
• How about the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 12?: “Jaguars,” Ryan said, chuckling. “Jaguars.” Another win for the Jets.
Ryan predicted the Jets would go 8-2 the rest of the way to finish 10-7.
“That gives us 10-7, we’re right back in it,” Ryan said. “And I’ve got to say something. This team right here, on paper, should win all these damn games. But you don’t play it on paper.”
Rex Ryan goes game-by-game predicting the remainder of the Jets’ schedule.
“Speaking of soft… this is like the softest schedule ever, I think I’ve ever seen in a 10-game schedule.” https://t.co/6jpcvMaMaQ pic.twitter.com/4zLqHm8X8M
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 27, 2024
Earlier in the segment, Ryan went off on Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo for calling his team “soft” after their loss to the Jaguars in Week 7.
“It’s brutal, it’s absolutely brutal, because you know what, it’s not a ‘we’ thing, this is a ‘you’ thing,” Ryan said. “It’s your problem. If your team is as soft as you put it … at stopping the run, that’s on you.
“Something’s missing in your locker room, I don’t know what the hell it is. You’re sitting back thinking you’re challenging your team — challenge yourself first … These are grown-a** men, you’re going to try to embarrass them in public. Look, I get it, your team stinks by the way.”
Rex Ryan goes off on ESPN’s Sunday Night Countdown about Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo calling the team “soft.” #NFL pic.twitter.com/elIYeKw9vH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 27, 2024
It would be fun to revisit Ryan’s Jets predictions at the end of the season.
[Sunday NFL Countdown]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.