Rex Ryan: Jets are "better than" Giants

Oh, boy! You knew that this was coming from a mile away.

Rex Ryan shot out the first of what should be many missives during the course of this week as his New York Jets prepare to play the New York Giants in a clash that basically determines which team can pack their bags for the season.

"There's a lot of talk going back and fourth, most of it driven by me, but I'll stand by anything I've ever said; I didn't come here to be anybody's little brother; I came here to win, to be looked at that way and to take over not just this city, even though it's the city to take over, but also this league. I haven't accomplished that yet. Saturday I think will go a long way to doing that."

Ryan later added: "There is no way I am going to be second fiddle. If we're playing the New York Yankees, I don't want to be second fiddle to them."

All right, ladies and gents, now you are all on notice because Big Rex is coming to town and he is checking his Christmas list and checking it twice. Once again, the King of Big Talk and little results is writing a blank check for his players, and he expects them to put down the amount, sign it, cash it, and spend it on a brand new Mercedes.

Ryan of course ignores the fact that his "Super Bowl" team has been woefully inconsistent all year, beginning with an offense that can't shoot straight, a terrible offensive line, a horrible running game, and an mediocre quarterback. But facts don't deter Ryan from pumping up his chest if means it will pump up his players. During Ryan's crazy tenure, it has both worked and failed. The bravado worked last year when he lit into the Patriots before the AFC Divisional playoffs; however, the bravado has not worked much at all this season.

The Giants have been responding to Rex's jabs; Mathias Kiwanuka lashed out saying: "I know we're the better team; we just have to go out and prove it."

However, Eli Manning tried to take a higher road saying: "I'm not going to get every quote Rex Ryan is saying and take it to heart. Some guys will respond to it, but it's not going to be me."

The War of the Words is on. This time everything is at stake. For the first time in the regular season, this game means a lot to both teams. Neither franchise has established itself this season and both cling by their pinkie fingers, to playoff hopes and Super Bowl dreams. The Giants need to win out to win the NFC East, while the Jets need to win one of their next two and get lots of help to win the wild card.

This series has really been nondescript over the years. The two teams have only played each other 11 times in the regular season, a crime that needs to be changed when, and if, the NFL goes to an 18 game schedule in a couple years. Of course, the pair play a meaningless pre-season game every season, but, really, who cares?

This game will have all the drama and hype of a Subway Series match-up when Mets-Yankees actually meant something in this town in the late 1990's/early 2000's. However, considering how angry each fan base is at their respective teams, there will probably be plenty of booing to go around on Chrismas Eve, and little holiday cheer.

Both the Giants and Jets have lashed out at their fans for booing them too much, especially the Jets who made a federal case of it a few weeks ago. This week, neither team will be able to tell if the booing is coming from their own fans, or the opposing team's fans.

But in the meantime, get ready for four more days of missives from Rex Ryan.