Why The Jets Are Becoming The Mets

Woe betide the times. To be a Met fan in New York; in four weeks, we could be saying, "Woe betide the times to be a Jet fan" too.

For three straight seasons, the New York Metropolitans have teased their fanbase with success. In 2006, they easily won their division and were clearly the best team in the NL. Then "dey was robbed" of the NL crown by the 82-win St. Louis Cardinals in game seven of the NLCS. Later, in 2007, the Mets had a seven and a half game lead in the East with 17 to play. As most know, the Mets found a way to blow that lead and lose the division on the final day of the season. Now this year, 2008, the Mets held a four game lead in the East after the first week of September. Then, as much a tradition as the summer and winter solstices, the Mets blew it again, losing their lead in the final week of the regular season, with a disastrous loss to Florida on the final day of Shea Stadium. What a revoltin', but not unexpected, development.

Those moments have tortured Met fans for three seasons; now the New York Jets are about to do the same for their fans. The Jets not only lost to the Denver Broncos, they may have begun to beat the drums of impending defeat. With that loss, fans can forget about capturing the number two seed in the AFC. The Jets have to hope that they can win their division.

Then again, who is to say that the Jets won't lose to San Francisco? The 49ers have been playing inspired football under new coach Mike Singletary, winning two of their last three games. The Jets will have to fly 3,000 miles to play the Niners, and, if past history is any guide, the Jets could lose; they never play well on the West Coast. Two of those Jets loses were to the Chargers and Raiders, both games in California.

The Jets then enjoy a perceived break against the Bills at home. Buffalo has lost six of eight, but, once again, history shows this one won't be easy either. The Bills have won their last two meetings with the Jets at Giants Stadium, including a dominating 13-3 victory last year. Who's to say that trend won't continue?

The Jets next fly west to Seattle, so Brett Favre can say hello and good bye to his old buddy Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. Think Favre wouldn't mind delivering an early Christmas present to his old buddy, old pal?

The season will finally end at the Meadowlands with the "great" Chad Pennington leading the Miami Dolphins into his old stomping grounds for a game that could determine the division winner. Don't bet against Chad; he will be more than up to the task of taking his old team behind the woodshed. Who's to say the Jets won't lose this one too?

Wose is me, the Jets are becoming the Mets. Brett Favre will play the role of David Wright, the star who forgets he is a star at the crucial moment. Lavernous Coles and Jerricho Cothery can play Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo, two speed demons that suddenly disappear into quicksand. Eric Mangini can play either Willie Randolph or Jerry Manuel, a guy who talks about hope and prosperity only to watch his club crumble to pieces.

In short, the Jets could go from looking like a 13-3 team to a mediocore 9-7 ball club that misses the playoffs. Hey, worse things have been known to happen.

My prediction: The Jets will somehow win two of their next three games and will enter their final game against the Dolphins, with both teams at 10-5. The winner will win the AFC East. The loser will go home ... alone for New Year's. If that's the case, my money will be on the Fish because the Jets are becoming ... gasp! ... the Mets.