Jets Back In The Hunt

The Jets walked all over Tampa Bay and kept their playoff hopes very much alive. These New Yorkers are also 7-6 but have a bit more hop to their step than their roommates, and well they should. Tampa isn’t a quality NFL team, but all you can do is win the games in front of you and the Jets did that, holding Tampa to 124 total yards of offense en route to a breezy 26-3 victory. Tampa could manage only six first downs on the day as Gang Green constantly harassed Josh Freeman, forcing him into the following numbers: 14-33 for 96 yards and three interceptions. Yikes. Relentless pressure on a rookie quarterback was the game-plan and Rex Ryan’s defense enforced that plan to the max. Everything went the way it was supposed to in Tampa: the defense played well, Thomas Jones ran effectively, Kellen Clemens didn’t throw an interception, and the Jets dictated the pace of the game. It was a business trip and the Jets took care of their business.

The Jets are in the thick of the wild card chase, but they have a couple of obstacles—namely Miami and Jacksonville. The New Yorkers are 0-3 against their fellow wild card contenders and need things to break their way if they want to qualify for the playoffs. Should they end up tied with either of the Floridians, they will be watching the postseason instead of participating in it. But check out the schedule: Miami has a road trip to Tennessee, then home games against Houston and Pittsburgh. The Fish won’t win all three of those, but should win the home games and finish 9-7. Don’t even tell me that they can’t beat Pittsburgh; I’m not hearing that nonsense. Jacksonville—who owns the head-to-head against the Jets but not against Miami after losing to the Dolphins this past Sunday—has Indy at home, then trips to New England and Cleveland. I see two losses in there and an 8-8 finish. Jacksonville can spend the offseason lamenting the week 14 loss to Miami.

The Jets finish with Atlanta, at Indy, and home against Cincy. They’re not beating Indy, Atlanta is fading fast, and Cincy may already be locked into the three seed. If the Bengals are locked in, they will rest many of their starters in week 17 which would make things much, much easier for the Jets. Basically, it comes down to this: If Miami wins two of their last three games, they’re going to end the Jets’ season by virtue of their two head-to-head wins. I know the Ravens are involved as well, and they’ll likely finish 9-7…but the first thing that’s done when there are three teams in the mix is to break any divisional ties and Miami trumps the Jets. New York needs Miami to lose two games before they can even worry about Baltimore. I wouldn’t bet on the Jets making the playoffs, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Crazy things happen every week. Just ask the Steelers.