Jets both current and former have not forgotten the 54-13 drubbing from last season
With the New England Patriots in town, it’s personal for the New York Jets.
Former Jets linebacker and current SNY analyst Bart Scott explained the status quo clearly.
.@BartScott57 is FIRED UP for Jets-Pats #CantWait pic.twitter.com/wQ9Et01NM7
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 30, 2022
“There are certain games that are personal. This game is personal, this rivalry is personal… ever since he shunned the Jets and became the HBC (sic) of the NYJ,” said Scott. “This is a good old-fashioned [butt]-whooping. This is about taking an opponent who’s limping into this game… and kicking him in the leg. I want Bill Belichick to become the villain, I want people to start saying it’s time for him to go, because he took the liberties on us.”
Scott was a member of the 2010 Jets squad that avenged a 45-3 regular-season defeat to the Patriots on Monday Night Football by beating them in Foxborough, 28-21, to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
Another member of that team, receiver Braylon Edwards, who has made his Jets fandom clear this season, expressed similar sentiments.
@nyjets You know what time it is. There’s no love for these bums so let’s run through them and keep this momentum going. #jetnation I smell 6-2 for sure. #beatNE
I hate the Patriots!!!! pic.twitter.com/2uyBOoqS4x
— Braylon Edwards (@OfficialBraylon) October 30, 2022
Edwards did some backflips on the Pats’ field following the playoff upset.
Meanwhile, as head coach Robert Saleh tried to downplay the significance of today’s game, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich gave a hint as to what the Jets are really thinking.
Jeff Ulbrich on the blowout loss to the Patriots last year: “I remember the score. I remember a lot of things. I remember it being 40+ and shots still being taken on us. It is what it is … we’re looking forward to this one.” #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 27, 2022
Meanwhile, running back Michael Carter called this a must-win game. A victory would put the Jets at 6-2 heading into a daunting showdown for first place in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills. A loss would mean the potential for two consecutive losses heading into the bye and a momentum killer.
The Jets and their fans are fired up for this one. Saleh exhorted the fans to come early and watch the fireworks before the game. Fans appear to have taken him at his word.
#Jets fans collecting those RECEIPTS for Robert Saleh 😂 cc: @cvspharmacy pic.twitter.com/wm8BhBjP14
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) October 30, 2022
Saleh took a page from Belichick’s book with some gamesmanship. After elevating QB Chris Streveler from the practice squad this week, the Jets deactivated him before the game. They simply forced The Hoodie to account for the threat of a running quarterback after Justin Fields ran all over New England last week.
This rivalry has been one-sided for a long time, but the Jets have a chance to kick the Patriots while they’re down. Though the team won’t actively admit it, that’s precisely what they want to do today.
