Why Playoff Tiebreaker Favors Jets Over Bengals

[F.Chowds]

As most Jets fans know by now, the Jets will almost certainly make the playoffs if they win their last two games and finish 10-6. Cincinnati is the only other playoff contender that could finish 10-6, but the Jets would most likely win the fourth tiebreaker, strength of victory. Those odds only increased when San Diego defeated Baltimore on Sunday night. Here is how it would break down.

THE TIEBREAKERS

1) Head to Head Does not apply.

2) Best conference record The teams would be tied at 7-5.

3) Best record in common games The teams would be tied at 3-2. The Jets beat Buffalo twice and Jacksonville, while losing to Baltimore and Denver. Cincinnati beat Buffalo, Jacksonville and would have to beat Baltimore in Week 17. The Bengals lost to Denver and Baltimore earlier this season.

4) Best strength of victory Through Sunday’s games, the Jets have an 11-victory edge over Cincinnati. The teams the Jets have beaten have combined for 45 victories (Dallas, 8; Jacksonville, 4; Miami, 5; San Diego, 7; Buffalo, 5 (twice); Washington, 5; Kansas City, 6); Cincinnati has beaten teams that have combined for 34 victories (Cleveland, 4 (twice); Buffalo, 5; Jacksonville, 4; Indianapolis, 1; Seattle, 7; Tennessee, 7; St. Louis, 2).

Although the Jets’ edge isn’t insurmountable, there are other factors working against Cincinnati. For example, Cleveland, which the Bengals beat twice, finishes the season with games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. St. Louis has games against Pittsburgh and San Francisco. The Jets, on the other hand, would improve with every victory by San Diego, which is surging after its victory over the Ravens on Sunday. Washington could also help the Jets’ cause by defeating Minnesota.

When Coach Rex Ryan said earlier this season that he was rooting for Dallas to win every game it played after the Jets won the season opener, he wasn’t kidding. Yes, he has been pulling for his brother Rob, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. But the Cowboys are the strongest team on the Jets’ strength of victory ledger.

[Jet27]

Thanks for the info....somehow we need to win the next two games...its not impossible. Rex needs to do a better job. And his team needs to execute.

[CTM]

i think we need to beat miami and that's it

[jason423]

i think we need to beat miami and that's it

Though its hard to consider Tennessee a threat after losing to the Colts they do have the Jaguars and Texans left, which should not be difficult games. Both teams would be 7-5 in conference. If the Bengals were in a 3 way tie they would get dumped at that stage since Im guessing we assume the Ravens loss. The next tiebreaker is common games where they Jets lose because the Titans beat the Broncos, Ravens, Bills, and would need to beat Jacksonville to get to 9-7. So thats a 4-1 record in common games. The Jets would only be 3-2. So I would not bank on 9-7 at all being enough.

[CTM]

Though its hard to consider Tennessee a threat after losing to the Colts they do have the Jaguars and Texans left, which should not be difficult games. Both teams would be 7-5 in conference. If the Bengals were in a 3 way tie they would get dumped at that stage since Im guessing we assume the Ravens loss. The next tiebreaker is common games where they Jets lose because the Titans beat the Broncos, Ravens, Bills, and would need to beat Jacksonville to get to 9-7. So thats a 4-1 record in common games. The Jets would only be 3-2. So I would not bank on 9-7 at all being enough.

ahh good point, I missed that in the playoff generator.. still hard to think they'll beat houston after the debacle yesterday