"Watched that game last night on the plane home. Just reinforced my feelings after the game. Disappointed," the Jets' coach said, referring to a 13-3 loss to the dismal Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday that could prove devastating to the team's playoff hopes. "Collectively, we're all disappointed.

"That being said," he continued, "we need to move on to the next challenge, which is Miami. We don't control our own destiny anymore, but we do control the next game, and we need to be able to put ourselves in a position to capitalize if an opportunity arises."

A month ago, the Jets were coming off consecutive road victories over the Patriots and Titans, were 8-3 and were inspiring thoughts of a New York-New York Super Bowl. But having lost three of four since then, they now need help just to make the playoffs.

Two of three games Sunday must go the Jets' way for them to advance. If the Patriots (10-5) lose to the Bills in a 1 p.m. game, the Jets (9-6) will take the field against the Dolphins (10-5) at Giants Stadium in a 4:15 game knowing that a victory over Miami will give them the AFC East title. Even if the Patriots win, the Jets can earn a wild card if they beat Miami and the Ravens (10-5) lose to the Jaguars in another 4:15 p.m. game.

"It's a little bit wacky, I would say, how everything played out. But it's the National Football League. All types of things happen in the National Football League," tackle Damien Woody said via conference call. "We had everything in front of us and we didn't take care of our business. And now we're in a situation where we have to win and we have to count on someone else to help us out to get into the postseason. We don't have anyone to blame but ourselves. But even in the position we're in at 9-6, all is still not lost."

Oddly, a beloved-by-many former Jet could have a lot to say about that. Chad Pennington, jettisoned by the Jets this past summer in favor of the stronger-armed Brett Favre, will visit his former home stadium Sunday and attempt to clinch the AFC East title for Miami - which was 1-15 last season - while ending his old team's season.

A loss to Miami could signal the end of the line for Mangini. Favre, too. Network television couldn't devise a better plot if it tried.

Still, the coach and his players say they'll leave the TV subplots and the speculation to the media. Mangini said he isn't looking for a vote of confidence or encouragement from owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

"What I'm looking for is to give my players a good plan to beat Miami. That's what I'm looking for. That's what I want to do," he said. "That's what our focus is going to be on. That isn't a focal point of mine at all."

Fullback Tony Richardson said by phone: "You don't feel powerless, you just understand that you don't necessarily control your own destiny. The power that you do have is that you get the chance to come back again and finish what we started."

Said Woody: "My philosophy is this: If you can't be motivated by the fact that you're staring the playoffs right in the face, I don't know what else could motivate you. I don't know what else could give you more emotion or motivation, besides the fact that you're in a playoff race right now. What more do you need in order to get ready to play a Football game?"

Good question.

Notes & quotes: Mangini said of Pennington: "You know that any time you release a good player, you got a good chance of playing against him. And I think Chad is a good player. I like Chad. I'm happy for Chad's success. Always had a good relationship with him. Really respect him ... And he's played really well, which would have been my expectation. I think he's a good player. He's a smart player."

Sunday

Miami

at Jets

4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2

Radio: WEPN

(1050)