NFL

Deflated Rex moves forward with Jets

Defeated. That was how Rex Ryan looked yesterday, despite being three days removed from Patriots 49, Jets 19 on Thanksgiving night, his most humiliating 60 minutes as a head coach.

Deflated. That was how Ryan sounded, his voice bereft of its usual defiance.

Disheartened. That was the overwhelming vibe around the 4-7 Jets as they dragged themselves to work after a couple days off to prepare themselves for Sunday’s home game against the 4-7 Cardinals.

This made it fitting that, during the early part of practice yesterday while the players stretched, a depressing Hank Williams Jr. country song titled, “A Country Boy Can Survive,’’ droned through the speakers.

“The preacher man says it’s the end of time … ’’ the opening lyric rings out.

“And the Mississippi River she’s a goin’ dry … ’’

“The interest is up and the Stock Market’s down and you only get mugged if you go downtown … ’’

And on it went.

Sometimes music perfectly fits the mood — even if by coincidence.

A short time before practice, Ryan opened his press conference saying, “Well, obviously it’s on to Arizona,’’ sounding about as excited as a kid anticipating a trip to the dentist because his parents are making him go.

From the head coach who two seasons ago buried the game ball from a 45-3 loss to the Patriots in a hole adjacent to the practice field to send a powerful visual message to his players to forget about what had just happened, there was no hint of motivational mastery from Ryan yesterday.

Asked what his message to the players was yesterday when they assembled for the first time since 49-19 New England, Ryan said somewhat meekly: “The big thing is no matter how much people want to dwell on what happened in the past, you have to move forward. Every question is about what happened and that’s fine, that’s your [reporters’] job. But our focus as soon as I leave here is getting this team ready to go to against Arizona.’’

There was a lot of talk from Ryan and his players, who were clearly parroting his morning message, about there being five games left and that the Arizona game is the most important of the season.

From a team that too often gets itself tangled up by talking too much about the big picture — making the playoffs, making a run, chasing the Patriots, running the table, etc. — Ryan yesterday stole a page from Tom Coughlin’s Giants playbook, imploring to his players that the next game is the most important game of the season.

“Right now I’m not going to make a ‘Ryan guarantees playoffs’ or something like that,’’ Ryan said. “We have to get better and it has to start right now. We have to win this game. That’s where the entire focus is. I’m focused on the right now, the present, and whatever’s in the future is in the future. In the present, I just want to win.’’

Jets defensive tackle Sione Pouha said “the best way to move forward from a situation like’’ Thursday night’s blowout loss to the Patriots “is to let go of the situation or it will be like a trailer you’re hitching to yourself.’’

“You don’t to want to hitch that trailer and take it with you to the next game,’’ Pouha said.

“You just move on,’’ Jets safety Yeremiah Bell said. “The game was what it was — it was embarrassing. But we’ve got five games left and that’s what you focus on. That game is in the rearview. We know we still have some season left.’’

In the Cardinals, the Jets actually have an opponent that’s more downtrodden than they are. After winning their first four games this season, the Cardinals are the throes of a seven-game losing streak.

They lost at home on Sunday to the same Rams team the Jets handled rather easily in St. Louis the week before. So to say the table is set for a Jets’ revival on Sunday — even if temporary — is stating the obvious.

If they cannot beat a Cardinals team in freefall Sunday at home, then this is what the Jets will look and sound like next Monday morning: Defeated, deflated, disheartened and done.