By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a page out of New York coach Rex Ryan's playbook Monday, declaring his support for the Jets while taking a playful jab at the New England Patriots.
All eyes in the football world will be on the Jets (9-2) and Patriots (9-2) Monday Night as they duke it out in Foxboro, Mass., for first place in the AFC East and the inside track on the top seed in the conference.
"It’s the marquee game of the year," Ryan told reporters Friday.
The magnitude of Monday's pivotal NFL match up hasn't been lost on New York's billionaire mayor, who plans to back the road team.
"There’s no question I’m gonna root for the Jets,” Bloomberg, who grew up in the Boston area, said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
The mayor said he toyed with the idea of skipping out on several events Monday night to drive up to New England for the game, but elected to catch the game on TV instead.
"When I get home, you can rest assured, while I never watch television, I will be watching the game and it will be exciting," Bloomberg said. "I’m looking forward to it."
The Jets are considered underdogs despite having the same record as the Pats and beating New England, 28-14, in their first meeting at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Sept. 19.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez outshined his Patriots counterpart Tom Brady in September, throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Brady threw two interceptions and failed to lead New England to any points in the second half.
The Jets have won four straight and are coming off a 26-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving Day. Sanchez has thrown seven touchdowns and led the team back with late comebacks against the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans over the last five games.
New England enters Monday with a 25-game home winning streak with Brady as the starting quarterback.
Brady has bounced back from his stinker against New York to lead the Patriots to eight wins in their last nine contests, including a 45-25 trouncing of the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
"I watched that game," Ryan told the Associated Press. "Obviously, they’re playing great."
A win by the Jets would give them a sweep of the season series and the edge on the AFC East title heading into the holiday season.
Bloomberg was in the holiday spirit Monday when he shared his Christmas wish for the Patriots with reporters.
"I wish for Rex Ryan and the Jets success tonight and my fondest hope for the Patriots is that they enjoy the holiday season, playoff season, at home watching games on television with their loved ones.”
