FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Patriots have distinct advantage over the Jets in at least one area, according to Rex Ryan.

Coaching.

"If it was just between (Bill) Belichick and me, he's going to win that battle," Ryan said Wednesday.

It might be an obvious statement, considering Belichick has won three Super Bowls as a head coach and Ryan still is looking for his first. But Ryan likes to play the underdog card when he faces the genius to the north. Sometimes it works (he outcoached Belichick in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs) and sometimes it doesn't (the 45-3 debacle in 2010). Ryan is 3-4 against Belichick, whom he calls the best coach in the league.

"I don't think I'm the best head coach in the league right now, I think he is," Ryan said.

In training camp, Ryan boasted that he's the best defensive coach in the NFL. After six games, the stats don't back that up, as the Jets are 18th in total defense. Belichick is supposed to be a defensive whiz, too, but his defense is ranked 22nd.

"I'm confident in my abilities, but let's face it: He's got all the rings and everything else -- the records," Ryan said. "Obviously, I'm not there and neither is anybody else in the league ... If it was just coaching defense, I'd put myself with anybody."

Clearly, Ryan likes to paint himself as John Q. Coach when facing the mighty Belichick.

"You want to compete against the very best," he said. "Maybe I'm crazy or whatever -- that's not even debatable -- but I have dreams I want to achieve."