Jets coach Rex Ryan thinks the officials were more protective of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger than Jets quarterback Michael Vick on Sunday.
Ryan, who picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for yelling at the officials during Sunday’s win, confirmed after the game that a hit on Vick drew his ire. The Jets were penalized twice for hitting Roethlisberger (once on Jason Babin and once on Quinton Coples), and Ryan said he thought the officials should have called penalties on the Steelers (who didn’t have any personal foul penalties) for hitting Vick as well.
“I got a little upset,” Ryan said. “In this league, they put a huge emphasis on protecting the quarterback and all players, as they should. I’m not so sure our quarterback was protected the same as the other quarterback today.”
Officiating issues aside, Ryan’s team played its best game of the season on Sunday. It’s too late for the Jets to make a playoff run, but it might not be too late to save Ryan’s job. And as he fights for his job, Ryan wants to make sure his team isn’t getting jobbed.