Jets like "puncher''s chance" against refreshed QB Manning

FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey (Reuters) - Coach Rex Ryan believes his New York Jets have a puncher''s chance of knocking the NFL-best Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning out of the Super Bowl in Sunday''s AFC Championship game.

"We have a puncher''s chance like George Foreman would have a puncher''s chance," the Jets coach said about the former world heavyweight boxing champion with the sledgehammer right.

"We don''t punch just like anybody. We punch like George Foreman."

The Jets match their hard-hitting, top-ranked defense against an offense run by the game''s preeminent passer in Manning for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

The survivor will face the winner of the NFC title tilt between the New Orleans Saints and visiting Minnesota Vikings for the NFL championship two weeks later in Miami.

Manning, who recently took his record fourth NFL MVP award, said he was surprised by the Colts'' success this year after working in two new wide receivers and a running back in their first season under rookie head coach Jim Caldwell.

"It''s definitely been a different type of season with so many changes that we had," 12-year veteran Manning told reporters Thursday in a conference call."

"Obviously with a new head coach and new personnel it has been a change. A lot of unknowns to start the season."

Manning said bringing along young receivers Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie, and first-year running back Donald Brown was a challenge that kept things fresh for him.

"It does kind of keep you into every single practice, every single meeting, because it''s not a 10-year veteran you''re playing with -- it''s a guy that doesn''t know this offense and keeps you involved in going over the small details.

"It''s been refreshing for me in many ways as well."