Jetspective...After The Win...
October 31, 1993.
October 31, 1993.
That
was the last time the NY Jets won a regular season game vs the NY Giants. Until yesterday.
The Giants had won the last 5 meetings
vs the Jets, outscoring them by a combined 149-100. That said, yesterday’s win was inspiring for
a team and a fan base that has suffered defeat more times than anyone
should. “Oh the pain!”
The
Giants are, and likely will always be, the #1 NFL franchise representing New
York. But for a day, the Jets were able
to make enough noise to get a victory over their in-town rivals, and it was
beautiful. Things like this just don’t happen
to the Jets. Okay, that’s probably going
a bit too far, but, in reality, big wins are few and far between for the franchise
who has not won a Super Bowl since 1969.
Any Jet fan, who has rooted for this team for at least the past 25
years, is all too familiar with big losses.
For far too many seasons, the Jets have been back page fodder and a
whole lot of hype.
The other team in New York has the rings.
The
Giants are one of the NFL’s most respected franchises, rightfully so. They have been blessed with great leadership,
excellent drafting, Hall of Fame quarterbacking, and the support of most people
living in the greatest city in the world.
Being that they are not in the same conference as the Jets, the rivalry
is not as juicy as lets say Giants-Eagles, or Giants-Cowboys, though it is a
rivalry nonetheless.
The
Jets have always been the Giants’ little brother. They are the team that is easily forgotten by
December, owning a miserable slogan of, “same ol’ Jets.” Blunder after blunder, sprinkled with a
playoff run here and there, has been the way of the New York Jets for as long
as I can remember. So, although
yesterday’s win was not a playoff or Super Bowl caliber victory, it was sweet
for a team and for fans that are accustomed to bitterness in the belly on a
Monday morning.
I
don’t expect the Jets to win a Super Bowl title this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants
did. That’s just how things have worked
out in recent history. The Jets are
cursed with being in the same division as the evil empire (the New England
Patriots), so as long as Brady has breath in his lungs, the future is bleak. But, the Giants are in the NFC east. They still have a shot at some glory this
year. I wish the Giants luck and I’ll take
this moment to acknowledge their two most recent Super Bowl wins over the Jets
true division rival, those Patriots.
Those are wins that are truly monumental in NFL history, especially
considering the way the Patriots have dominated the rest of the NFL for over a
decade. So, much respect to the
Giants. And with a spirit of goodwill, I
offer a quick shout out to the Philadelphia Eagles who pulled off a big win in
Foxboro, Massachusetts yesterday. I know
Giants fans are not happy about that either.
But hey, you guys (Giants and Eagles fans) have each other to be
concerned with as we head down the stretch.
Not for nothing, but it must be nice to be in a division where a record
like 8-8 or worse may lead to a playoff berth!
Happy footballing!
