New York Jets coach Rex Ryan leaves the field after beating the Buffalo Bills at the end of the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Orchard Park, New York November 6, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Doug BenzBy Larry Fine
New York (Reuters) - Outspoken New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is billing Saturday's Christmas Eve showdown against the New York Giants as a battle for the Big Apple, but the fellow-tenants of MetLife Stadium are not biting.
"There's going to be a butt in every single seat to see it, whether you're a Jets fan, a Giants fan or just a football fan, I mean this is going to be a great game," Ryan told reporters about his 8-6 Jets going against the 7-7 Giants. "I never came here to be little brother to anybody, so it's on."
Ryan said his Jets are better than the long-established Giants, founded 35 years earlier, having reached the AFC title game in each of his first two seasons as coach while the Giants have missed the playoffs.
But Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who led his team to a Super Bowl title in 2008, had a different slant on the game: "(This) is not so much about the Jets, it is about our season and what we need to accomplish and what we are trying to do to enhance our season and extend it."
Both teams are coming off bruising defeats that did little to help their playoff hopes. The Giants lost 23-10 at home to the Washington Redskins, while the Jets were overwhelmed 45-19 on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants must now beat the Jets and follow that with a victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys on New Year's Day to claim the NFC East title.
The Jets hold the inside track to an AFC wild card berth, but could be overtaken should they lose Saturday.
Missing for the Giants will be tight end Jake Ballard, out with a knee injury, while the Jets may be without kick returner Joe McKnight, who separated his shoulder.
There is plenty at stake for both teams, but Ryan often likes to make it personal in his preparation, a tact he has used in the past against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, and Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
With the NFL's revolving schedule, the Jets and Giants play each other during the regular season once every four years.
"Basically, you're out of the playoffs if you lose this game, either team is," said Ryan. "So, we know what's at stake. But is there bragging rights and all that? Yes, absolutely.
"We want to be the best team in New York, but we want to be the best team in NFL, and it starts with being the best team in New York. It's going to start with how we play on Saturday."
The stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, is sure to be rocking with both teams desperately needing a win.
The Jets are the designated home team for the Week 16 game, so their season-ticket holders should be dominant in the stadium where the electronic decor will be switched on to Jets green rather than Giants blue.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said there was a buzz about the game. "Let's face it, you have a city that has certainly divided," he said. "Half the city in favor of one team, half the other. Certainly you're going to sense the excitement."
Pressed, Manning acknowledged the game was special.
"When you have two teams in the same area, the same city and using the same stadium, you want to have success," he said. "You hear bits and pieces but I am not going to go get the paper and read every quote that Rex Ryan is saying and take it to heart."
Asked about Ryan's comment about being the best team in New York, Manning said: "Obviously, that will be decided on Saturday."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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