It has been easy for doubters to explain away the Jets’ late season surge for one reason or another. The Colts and Bengals rested their starters and handed them an easy win. In the wildcard game, they overtook a beat up Cincinnati club that had dropped three of its last four.

But against San Diego the Jets quieted the skeptics. By beating the Chargers, the Jets established themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Rex Ryan had the secondary playing a lot of deep zones in the first half. Although San Diego completed a lot of underneath passes, the strategy worked out well. The Chargers’ longest play from scrimmage in the half was 26 yards.

Ryan’s design intended to keep the plays in front of them and force the Chargers to work the length of the field for points. The fact that they mustered only 7 in the first half affirmed his strategy.

Unbelievable! In perhaps the most stunning victory in the franchise’s history, the New York Jets beat the heavily favored Chargers and are headed to Indianapolis for the AFC Championship game.

Somebody pinch me.

These are not your father’s Jets and they certainly are doing their best to shed the “Same ‘ol Jets” moniker that has hung over this franchise like a black cloud for years.

The Jets’ offense is playing some its best football of the season. There is finally more balance in the their attack and that has a lot to do with Brian Schottenheimer, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez working better together.

This trio is now on the same page. Ryan’s involvement in the offense resulted in a scaled back passing attack. Schottenehimer is designing game plans that are not only in sync with his head coach’s philosophy but are more creative and opponent-specific.

The Jets’ blowout of Cincinnati two weeks ago and its tough playoff win on the road last week have this team believing in itself. In an unusual turn, it has been the Jets’ offense that has gotten much of the attention recently.

Brian Schottenheimer had perhaps his two best games as a Jet and did a great job of playing calling and game planning against the Bengals. Just as important, Schottenheimer and Sanchez seem to be much more in sync now and the rookie’s play has improved as a result.