"There was an older man in there and he had this crinkled- up Jets hat, and I asked him, 'You're a Jets fan?' He was like, 'I am now. I hadn't put my hat on in a long time, but it's pretty exciting now.' "

Jets center Nick Mangold had a similar experience while getting an oil change. Two guys got into a debate about which team is better, Jets or Giants.

"One of them kept trying to talk about the Giants and the other guy kept trying to talk about the Jets," Mangold said. "It was neat to see they were both able to go back and forth, because both teams are doing well at this point in the season."

With the Jets cruising at 8-3 off a stunning road victory over the previously unbeaten Titans, and the Giants improving to 10-1 with a 37-point outburst against the Cardinals, New York Football is all the rage. A Jets-Giants Super Bowl? It's not out of the question.

You can make a compelling argument that each team is the best in its conference right here, right now. There is no doubt the defending Super Bowl champion Giants are the dominating force in the NFC. And with the Jets coming off their fifth straight win - including the last two against a divisional leader on the road - there is strong evidence that they suddenly have become the team to beat in the AFC.

Giants-Jets in Tampa?

Sure, there's still a lot of season left, and anything can happen in the next five weeks. Injuries to key players might change the equation dramatically. An upset or two along the way might jumble things up some more. But the way both teams are playing, it's not a ridiculous scenario to see both getting to the Super Bowl.

That the Giants would be in this position isn't all that surprising. My preseason prediction was that the Giants would successfully defend their title. The Jets? Who knew they'd get this good this quickly?

It wasn't long ago that Brett Favre was struggling to master the offense, and there were legitimate questions about just how this thing was going to go. In his first eight games, he had 15 TD passes and 12 interceptions. And in games 5-7, he had three TD passes and seven INTs against three pathetic teams: the Bengals, Raiders and Chiefs.

Why, some guy (full disclosure: me) even wrote at the time that the Jets would have been better off if they had kept Chad Pennington, who has helped turn the Dolphins into playoff contenders. Imagine that!

Ever since, Favre has stepped up his game to the level the Jets have needed. In his last three games, he has five TD passes and only one interception. And his command of an offense that has routinely produced time-consuming drives against some of the best defenses suddenly has lifted the Jets to legitimate contender status.

But as all Jets fans know, a lot can happen, with memories of momentous collapses all too familiar. Remember 1986, when the Jets were 10-1 and the Giants 9-2 at this point? The Giants finished 14-2 and won the Super Bowl. The Jets lost five straight, beat the Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs, then lost to the Browns in double overtime.

Another Jets meltdown doesn't seem likely: Home to Denver, coming off a blowout home loss to the pathetic Raiders. At awful San Francisco. Home to Buffalo. At 2-9 Seattle. Then home to Miami, which still has potential ramifications for both teams.

The Dolphins could very well be fighting for a playoff spot. The Jets might be looking at locking up the No. 2 seed. Or - dare we think it - the top seed.

No resting easy, though. In fact, Favre vs. Pennington on Dec. 28 at the Meadowlands still looms large on the horizon. And who knows? Perhaps there is more to come on the Favre-Pennington debate.

There is no debating that the Giants have it all going right. They are a better team than they were at the same point last year, when they still didn't have a clue they'd be Super Bowl-good. They're in firm control of the NFC East, as well as the No. 1 seed, and there is a feeling of quiet confidence that can carry them all the way to Tampa.

And if the Jets got there, too?

"We would love to play the Jets," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "That means we'd be in the Super Bowl. It would be a mega-event. But we can't allow ourselves to think about it."

Doesn't mean the rest of us can't. Jets-Giants in Tampa? Why not?

THE MATCHUP

Jets-Giants in Tampa on Feb. 2? With the Giants rolling along at 10-1 and the Jets at 8-3 after five straight wins, it's not out of the question. Sure, a lot can happen between now and then, but why not savor the moment and think of the possibilities? Here's a look at the key matchups if the game were to come off:

QBs

Eli Manning vs. Brett Favre

Well, we've already seen this matchup, and we know what happened. Manning went into Green Bay and the Giants upset Favre's Packers. While Manning mastered the frigid conditions, it was Favre who committed the critical turnover in overtime, that interception by Corey Webster. Each quarterback is at the top of his game. Manning has improved since the Giants' Super Bowl run and Favre has become more comfortable in the Jets' ball-control offense. He led big-time drives over the last four games, making good decisions while avoiding costly turnovers. Same with Manning, who comes off his best game of the season.

Edge: Giants.

RBS

Jacobs/Ward/Bradshaw vs. Jones/Washington

The backfields are somewhat similar, with a banger (Jacobs/Jones) and a changeup back (Ward-Bradshaw/Washington). But the fact that the Giants have three backs they can use gives them an edge. Jacobs is a locomotive who can wear out a defense early, paving the way for the shiftier Ward and the raw speed and surprising power of Bradshaw. Jones is a terrific between-the-tackles runner who has taken advantage of vastly improved blocking. Washington can be a home run threat any time he touches the ball, as he was with his long touchdown run against the Titans on Sunday.

Edge: Giants

RECEIVERS

The Giants go five deep with Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon and Sinorice Moss. Burress, when healthy, is one of the best playmakers in the league. Toomer is a solid possession receiver with a knack for making big catches. Smith is one of the league's most underrated third-down receivers, and Hixon has come up big when Burress isn't on the field. Moss has been used only in spots but seems to have regained his confidence. Tight end Kevin Boss has become a reliable pass-catcher. For the Jets, Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are a very capable tandem, although neither has breakaway speed. Rookie tight end Dustin Keller has emerged as a very capable receiver, especially in recent weeks. Chansi Stuckey and Brad Smith are solid.

Edge: Giants

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Giants' run blocking has never been better, as the team can easily churn out upwards of 200 yards in a game. David Diehl is an underrated tackle. Shaun O'Hara is one of the league's best centers. Chris Snee is one of the most effective guards in the game. The Jets' added experience with guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody has helped immeasurably. Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson has improved markedly from last season.

Edge: Giants

DEFENSIVE LINE

Giants' four-man line has been very effective, making up for Osi Umenyiora's season-ending injury and Michael Strahan's retirement. Ends Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka form an excellent set of pass rushers, and Fred Robbins is superb in the middle. The Jets' three-man line has been excellent with the addition of nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Shaun Ellis is one of the league's most consistent, if underappreciated, ends.

Edge: Giants

LINEBACKERS

Giants had to adjust after losing free agents Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell. Danny Clark has been a solid addition. Chase Blackburn has been a solid contributor when called upon, and MLB Antonio Pierce remains an elite player. The Jets miss injured David Harris but still are well-stocked with Eric Barton, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas. A very solid 3-4 set of linebackers.

Edge: Jets.

SECONDARY

Giants corners Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are one of the better pairings in the league. James Butler and Michael Johnson are solid at safety, and rookie Kenny Phillips is a rare talent who will only get better with time. Jets safety Kerry Rhodes is a playmaker, with Darrelle Revis one of the league's better shutdown corners. Addition of Ty Law has been huge for the stretch run.

Edge: Giants.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Giants' John Carney has failed to make only one field-goal attempt, and that was blocked. He was a huge addition after Lawrence Tynes was injured. Jeff Feagles still is one of the best directional punters in the game. Solid coverage teams, although susceptible on kickoff returns. Excellent returners in Hixon and Bradshaw. Jets K Jay Feely has been a solid addition after the injury to Mike Nugent. Solid coverage teams. Washington is a Pro Bowl-caliber return man.

Edge: Even.

PREDICTION: Giants' experience and depth are undeniable. Their pass rush will wear down even the best offensive lines, and that would be a major factor here. Giants' running game also very tough to stop. Manning was as efficient as a QB can be in last year's postseason, and Favre sometimes is prone to interceptions in key spots. Favre's leadership is outstanding, though, and that can't be underestimated in playoff conditions. Jets' secondary is vulnerable to occasional lapses. Giants 34, Jets 21.