"You don't play like we played and win," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

After a 3-3 start, the Jets are now on a five-game winning streak that includes consecutive road victories over the Titans and New England (7-4). While still trailing Tennessee by two games in the race for the conference's top playoff spot, Jets players and coaches are now being asked whether they are the team to beat in the AFC.

Favre wouldn't go that far — yet.

"I'm not going to sit here and say we established ourselves as the best team in football," Favre said. "All it says is that I think we beat the best team in football today, definitely if you go by record and the way they've played.

"It's hard to win — period — in this league. It's hard to win on the road. It's hard to win at a place that's 10-0. It's hard to win five in a row. We've found a way to do it."

Just like with Favre buying into a different offensive system than what was used in Green Bay, nose tackle Kris Jenkins said New York's surge stems from players setting aside their own egos in the quest for team success.

"We started to realize how seriously we wanted to win," Jenkins said. "We sat down in the locker room and said, 'We've got to get it together.' A lot of guys could have fought it and done their own thing, but everybody bought into each other."

Favre, too, senses the Jets have a chance to become a special team like his 1996 and 1997 Packers teams that reached Super Bowls.

"When we stepped on the field, we were 14 points ahead before kickoff from a mental standpoint," Favre said. "Nobody wanted to play us. That more than anything is what got us to the Super Bowl. Once you get that edge, you're well on your way.

"I don't want to say we've got that, but I'm starting to sense guys believing in what we're trying to do."

That, too, is reason for Favre to celebrate.