New York Jets’ Rex Ryan Says New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens Will Meet in Super Bowl XLVI

Published: 20^th Jan 12 5:14 pm

by Jon Presser
New York Jets Lead Columnist

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The Star-Ledger-US PRESSWIRE

For the first time in four years, Rex Ryan is not coaching on Championship weekend in the NFL.

Ryan coached in three straight AFC Championship games, one as Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator in 2008 and two as New York Jets head coach in 2009 and 2010, so he knows a little something about it.

Without a big playoff game to get ready for, Ryan’s got some extra free time this time of year for a change, and he spent some of that time on WFAN geting interviewed by Mike Francesa on Friday.

I was able to find a little bit of the interview on YouTube, which you can check out below.

Along the way, Ryan was asked about his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, and their big game Sunday with Ryan’s biggest rival, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Ryan said that he believes the Ravens will win and advance to Super Bowl XLVI, because they’re one of the few teams left that can match up with the Patriots and their vaunted offense.

“The only way you’re going to beat New England is if you have a great defense,” he said. “The Ravens had beaten New England before with a dominant defense [in a 33-14 playoff win two years ago].”

“We beat New England three times but we did it creatively,” Ryan said. “[Tom Brady] wasn’t comfortable. There are only a few teams … Pittsburgh was more physical than New England. That’s why they won.”

“The Ravens, in my opinion, are going to take a similar approach to how the Giants played them. Meaning, they’re going to rush four guys on them, I truly think they’re going to rush four.”

“I think Terrell Suggs might be the difference in this game … They’ve got to be physical. And the Ravens’ offense does have to show up. They have to protect the football.”

There’s no doubt that Ryan’s still got a lot of love for his former team and his former players, and I know he believes what he says when he’s picking Baltimore to pull off the upset.

However, with Francesa’s persistence, the Jets head coach also shared his thoughts about the NFC matchup, with the New York Giants facing the San Francisco 49ers.

“I can tell you this,” Ryan joked, “there isn’t one Giants fan that wants me to say the Giants are going to win this game.”

“Give me the truth,” Francesa insisted.

“I think the Giants, when you look at them, they can throw the ball, they can move the football better against San Francisco than San Francisco can move it against the Giants,” Ryan said.

“I think the Giants are going to take this game. Eli [Manning] is hot. I like the fact that both running backs are healthy. You could be looking at a Giants-Ravens rematch [of their Super Bowl matchup 11 years ago].”

So there you have it. Rex Ryan predicts the Ravens over the Patriots and the Giants over the 49ers. That’s two underdogs winning on road to reach Super Bowl XLVI.

What do you think? Think Ryan’s on to something? Or it just another Rex Ryan prediction that will go by the wayside? I guess we’ll find out on Sunday night.

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