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November 24, 2008
Posted: 08:39 AM ET

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Start spreadin’ the news New Yorkers. You can make arrangements to leave after today. You’re all going to be a part of it — the Super Bowl.

I’m not just talking about the defending champion Giants. I’m talking about the Jets as well.

That’s right. My prediction: the Big Apple will be the big winner after this year’s regular season, when both teams will make the migration to Florida (a natural one for New Yorkers) to square off in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st.

Get ready folks for the first ever Bridge and Tunnel title series.

The Giants beat the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29, on Sunday, even without their starting running back Brandon Jacobs. With the win, the G-Men improve to 10-1 and appear to be a shoe-in for home field advantage in the playoffs. Let’s face it, NO ONE is beating these guys to the championship game even with the great giver Tony Romo back for Dallas.

And the Jets? They beat the last undefeated team in the league Sunday — the Tennessee Titan — by a convincing score of 34-13 – on the road — to improve to 8-3 and sit atop the AFC East standings. The Jets dominated for three and half quarters on both sides of the ball… and beat a team that most had picked to reach the championship.

Sure I might be jumping the gun with the Jets. Though, not nearly as much as much as I did when I predicted they would reach the Super Bowl after a week-one win over Miami. (My sports boss thought I was an idiot for that. Actually he thinks I’m an idiot for a number of reasons).

But now, I’m looking kind of smart.

Yeah, I know, there are six weeks left. And I hear the skepticism. The Jets did, after all, finish 4-12 last year.

But thanks to some major off-season moves, this isn’t even the same team anymore. Their biggest move was putting a guy under center who came within one interception of reaching the championship last season.

Of course I’m talking about Brett “the Jet” Favre — the guy I mercilessly chastised for coming back — whose overtime pick put the Packers in some pickled peppers in the NFC championship game against the Giants a year ago.

Now the ageless wonder is on a team with more talent on both sides of the ball including a better offensive line, a better defense, a better running back in Thomas Jones and one of the top special teams’ players in Leon Washington.

The Titans were a great story. But Sunday the Jets exposed them. They have a very good defense but don’t have the talent on offense to make a run in the playoffs. Their receivers are pedestrian and quarterback Kerry Collins — while a great comeback story — is no more than a serviceable quarterback unable to lead his team down the field when a comeback is needed. Unlike Brett Favre.

The Steelers? They have the best defense in the league but Big Ben Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker are hurting so much they could take over for Tom Skerritt as the spokesman for Aleve.

The Patriots? I know that Cassel is looking rather Brady-esque these days but they don’t have a clear-cut no. 1 running back and their defense gives up too many points now that Asante Samuel has gone to the Eagles and Rodney Harrison is gone to injury.

The Ravens? Same thing as the Titans. Great defense, average quarterback. Joe Flacco will be stud for years to come. But his spanking at the hands of the Giants showed he’s not there yet. I know they won once with an average quarterback in Trent Dilfer and a solid defense years ago, but it’s a different league now.

Denver? You can’t win being a one-dimensional team without a defense or a running game.

San Diego? You can’t win with Norv Turner.

The key for “Bretty and the Jets” will be if they can stay healthy down the stretch. And that’s something Favre and Jones have had no trouble with. Those two should look like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in “The Bucket List” — two grizzled veterans having the time of their life going the distance in (what should be) their final run.

And while some may say it’s still a bit too early, I say this is one movie where you can already see how it’s going to end.

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Writer Keith   November 24th, 2008 9:21 am ET

The Giants look like the team to beat, but the Jets (J-E-T-S: Just End The Season)? You forgot one thing about this Rafer. Playoff Brett Favre. The same Playoff Brett Favre that starts throwing interceptions under pressure. The same Playoff Brett Favre that starts throwing =really= bad interceptions with the game on the line. It’s like watching Karl Malone try to make a free throw in the NBA Playoffs.

Tim Williams   November 27th, 2008 11:35 am ET

All New York — I doubt it. There are some other teams out there that will disagree. What about the Titans, Colts, and others. The Giants have a chance- but Favre will probably blow it for the Jets.

robert quintana   December 1st, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Denver Broncos had an impressive win over the New York Jets, If they play the rest of the regular season like that they will be the next super bowl champs. Take us all the way JAY

Ken Wederski   December 2nd, 2008 6:19 am ET

The New York football Giants will be there for the NFC, but the inconsistent NY Jets will be left watching the Super Bowl on TV. The Jets beat the Titans then lose to the Broncos. Hmmm…

Gloria Gosling   December 2nd, 2008 7:21 am ET

Rafer, I have wondered since you began, “What is the origin of your name”?

Michael   December 2nd, 2008 10:42 am ET

Ya, the Titans and New York will play. You forgot one things with the Jets Vs Titans game. The Titans had all their players in the hospital injured. To be honest, the Jets should have won by more.

rev gram   December 2nd, 2008 9:12 pm ET

Rafer, You need to go and watch some more Jets, and watch them choke towards the end of the season. “bert” couldn’t do it before, why should he be able to do it know.

Jesse W. Willcox   December 3rd, 2008 8:34 am ET

Naaaaaahhhhhh, not, nope and I could go on and on. Some other time possibly.

DonnaE   December 16th, 2008 8:27 am ET

With Plax Burress acting like an IDIOT, and shooting himself, the is NO WAY going to be an all NY Superbowl. They have lost every game since the JERK shot himself, and unless a miracle happens and one of the second string morphs into a Plax-like being, IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN, BABY!!!!

It’s time to retract your statement, and eat crow!!!!!!!!

Sorry-I am a Giants fan, so I know how hard that will be to do……..

Don in Glendale, Az   December 16th, 2008 9:12 am ET

I love Charles Barkley, not for his basketball playing “talents”, but for many other humanatarian issues I’ve noticed his involvment in over the years and he has a great sense of humor.

This comment of “racism” coming from the Chuckster just seems way over the top and out of line to put it mildly.

I personally am so disgusted with all the “race cards” being CONSTANTLY used as a determining factor for anything and everything where ANY race but black is involved. I don’t want to sound as tho I have or allow this in my household and I think this country has come too damn far in a “good-direction” to let some senseless comment (such as the one Mr. Barkley has used in his inappropriate choice of determining that race was used in choosing who was the best choice for this team.
IF race was used in their deciscion making, I think it is a sad day for the deciscion makers involved as well as their team as a whole.

I, as well as the resty of this country continue to hear how badly the black society is still being treated. Isn’t it time to move on?……….for ALL RACES!

RESPECTFULL,
A long time Fan of Mr. Barkley

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