Gridiron City

IOZ can kick up dirt and play victim, but most football observers are picking his Steelers to defeat my Jets. Few people take the Jets seriously, many Jets fans included. The Steelers are the critics' darlings, as IOZ well knows, so worrying about their chances is a pose. Should Big Ben lay down a righteous ass whipping, IOZ will have suspected as such all along.

I can't blame my friend. When you've won two Super Bowls in the last five years, you must find fresh ways to remain interested. IOZ is more imaginative than most, and funny in the bargain. Jets fans have endured far longer stretches of failure and mediocrity, which is why we tolerate Rex Ryan's sideshow. He has walked the talk. A friend who's a Patriots fan calls the Jets the Island of Misfit Toys. He means it as a put-down, but I embrace it. The Jets are indeed misfits; name a more entertaining NFL team this season.

If you believe in conspiracies as Steelers fans tend to do, then a Jets victory on Sunday should be a no-brainer. Clearly the league would prefer the Misfits in Dallas, as that would attract a larger crowd. The Steelers offer nothing save the same old grind and win. Every institution has its biases and flaws, and I doubt the NFL is capable of an effective pro-Jets fix. But hell, this is America. If you can steal elections and economies, what's sixty minutes of football?