Can the Jets make the Playoffs?

[Freemanm]

Figure either Denver or Indy will have the first WC spot at this point, so it's a long-shot for the Jets (especially since the Jets lost to both the Steelers and the Titans - two teams that are capable of coming back and being in the playoff hunt). The upcoming game against the Bengals will be big, since the Bengals also could end up being one of the teams that are vying for that final wildcard spot.

 

Even though it's still early, the Chargers and the Fins look like they could be contenders for that last WC spot, and to a lesser extent, Steelers, Ravens, Titans and Browns are also in the hunt.

 

I figure, however, that two games against the Dolphins in weeks 13 and 17 will be must wins, as well as the rematch with the Bills, because the best chance that the Jets have to go to the playoffs is by winning the division, and the Patriots are still on top.

 

Much of this figures on when the Jets peak as well. They made the playoffs in 2009 because they peaked in Decemeber, This means that Geno, despite flashes of brilliance, must cut down on those ugly pics, and they need more out of the running game. 

 

http://www.jetnation.com/2013/10/22/ny-jets-fans-discuss-geno-rex-marty-can-the-team-make-the-playoffs-jetnation-radio/

[JoeC36]

I think they can. But will they is a completely different story.  This team needs to show they can win more than every other game before i start thinking about playoffs.  

[ZachEY]

Competing for only one spot.  KC and Denver in the same division leaves just one for Jets, Dolphins, Baltimore, Tenn, SD, and maybe even Pittsburgh if they get it together.

 

Probably wont happen.

[Jetsfan80]

Competing for only one spot.  KC and Denver in the same division leaves just one for Jets, Dolphins, Baltimore, Tenn, SD, and maybe even Pittsburgh if they get it together.

 

Probably wont happen.

 

We're only 1 game back in the division.  Pig.  Ripe.  Slaughter.  Symbolic penis.

 

It's time to host a playoff game for the first time in over a decade.  Believe in it.

[flgreen]

Figure either Denver or Indy will have the first WC spot at this point, so it's a long-shot for the Jets (especially since the Jets lost to both the Steelers and the Titans - two teams that are capable of coming back and being in the playoff hunt). The upcoming game against the Bengals will be big, since the Bengals also could end up being one of the teams that are vying for that final wildcard spot.

 

Even though it's still early, the Chargers and the Fins look like they could be contenders for that last WC spot, and to a lesser extent, Steelers, Ravens, Titans and Browns are also in the hunt.

 

I figure, however, that two games against the Dolphins in weeks 13 and 17 will be must wins, as well as the rematch with the Bills, because the best chance that the Jets have to go to the playoffs is by winning the division, and the Patriots are still on top.

 

Much of this figures on when the Jets peak as well. They made the playoffs in 2009 because they peaked in Decemeber, This means that Geno, despite flashes of brilliance, must cut down on those ugly pics, and they need more out of the running game. 

 

http://www.jetnation.com/2013/10/22/ny-jets-fans-discuss-geno-rex-marty-can-the-team-make-the-playoffs-jetnation-radio/

 

 

Of course they can.   The lose to the Steelers is huge, but they kind of pulled that out with beating the Pats.

 

The highlighted area is the key.  When do the Jets get hot, and when do the other teams  they are in contention with get hot?  This is critical ( See Giants, NY)  

 

The second part is mega.  Smith has to stop turning the ball over.  Rookie or not, if the Jets are to have an actual successful season this year he has to get consistently good.  Not great, but when he gets the team in, or near the red zone, they have to come away with points. 

[shawn306]

Win your the rest of your division games 3

 

Beat the Raiders and Browns will get you to 9

 

You have the Ravens, Saints, Panthers, Bengals. win one of those 3 and the Jets get to 10 and into the post season.

[19andOhWait]

yes we can

 

#noObama 

[JiFtheOracle]

No

[bitonti]

I think they can. But will they is a completely different story.  This team needs to show they can win more than every other game before i start thinking about playoffs.  

 

forget playoffs, can they beat Cinci this weekend? They haven't strung together 2 wins all season. 

[CrazyCarl40]

Doubtful.

[SickJetFan]

lets not start sucking each others dicks just yet

[New York Mick]

Mathematically, yes. realistically hell no.

[Jettington]

1 - DEN

2 - NEW

3 - IND

4 - CIN

5 - KC

6 - NYJ

 

Mark it down.

 

We'll sweep the Dolphins, beat the Bills after the bye, and beat Oakland and Cleveland and win one of @BAL, @CAR, or @CIN for a 10-6 record.

[Il Mostro]

Ask me after the Saints game...

[ZachEY]

Solid article by Shien that looks at all the teams that have a shot for that 6th spot:

 

My head is pounding. It's throbbing, actually. Why, you ask? As we embark on the second half of the season, riddle me this: Who is going to grab the sixth playoff spot in the AFC?

At this point, we can practically hand the first five berths to the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals. But which of the flawed teams in the muddled remainder will join them?

Perhaps the worst thing you can write or say when making your living as I do -- the business of giving strong and educated opinions -- is this: I don't know.

Why do you love football? Share your story and you could win a VIP Super Bowl XLVIII trip.

Sure, I have a take. But really, I don't know. I don't know who to trust and who to believe in when it comes to the edges of this playoff picture.

Consider that if the season ended today, the New York Jets would be a playoff team -- just like we all predicted in the preseason.

Actually, if I had a preseason power ranking, I would've ranked the Jets 32nd out of the 32 teams in the NFL. Now, though, there are reasons to believe in the Jets making the playoffs.

Did I just write that?

Truth be told, I'm incredibly impressed with the Jets' intensity and what they've achieved this season. Before the draft, I wrote a column championing eventual second-round pick Geno Smith as a franchise quarterback; since then, he's been brilliant in Jets' wins (in which he's thrown seven touchdown passes against just four picks) -- and horrific in Jets' losses (one scoring pass and nine interceptions). In a related story, New York is 5-4, fresh off of a stunning and spectacular 26-20 upset special against the juggernaut New Orleans Saints.

On NFL Network
NFL Replay
will re-air the New York Jets' 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints from Week 9 on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. ET.

» NFL Network schedule

Perhaps no team defines the unpredictable and volatile nature of the 2013 NFL season better than the Jets, who have alternated wins and losses for nine consecutive games to begin the year, tying an NFL record. In some games, New York seems to have a pop-gun offense and a talent deficiency; in others, Gang Green looks like a squad that can do damage in the postseason.

The Jets' most recent three-game stretch was supposed to doom both their season and coach Rex Ryan's job -- instead, New York beat the Saints and the New England Patriots. Why bother playing the "predict the schedule" game with this team? After a Week 10 bye, the Jets visit the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. What will those games count as? Two wins? Two losses? The rest of the slate includes no less uncertainty, with home games against the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, followed by three opponents with solid defenses: the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and the Dolphins once more.

The Jets have a fantastic defensive line and they play with confidence, for which Ryan deserves credit. Led by Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Smith, this team has a chance -- especially if offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg continues to take the pressure off Smith by running the ball with Chris Ivory, who gained 139 yards and scored a touchdown on 18 carries against New Orleans on Sunday. That's as big a key as any, though evening out the home-away turnover gap -- the Jets have four picks and 21 sacks at home and just one pick and six sacks on the road -- should also be a priority. And as stout as that D-line is, the defensive backfield has been shaky. Did Sunday's performance -- in which the defense notched two interceptions in one game for the first time all year while holding Drew Brees to a passer rating of 64.4 in the fourth quarter -- mark a turning point?

 

 

I thought the San Diego Chargers, who sit a half-game behind New York in the race for the final wild-card spot, had a great chance to grab ahold of "The Chase for No. 6" -- until Sunday.

I was starting to believe in this team -- and then coach Mike McCoy went all Norv Turner on us after Danny Woodhead's touchdown was rightly overturned at the end of regulation against the Washington Redskins. First-and-goal from the 1-yard line -- and no Ryan Mathews? Totally illogical! No QB sneak? It was bizarre. It was bad. It was a wasted opportunity to notch a comeback win.

Instead, the Chargers settled for a game-tying field goal -- and went on to lose 30-24 in overtime, dropping to 4-4. It was a huge defeat, the third San Diego loss this season to be decided in the final 15 seconds. That's a startling and alarming stat.

The Chargers host the Denver Broncos next week before facing Miami and the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. The Bolts' December schedule includes matchups with the Bengals, New York Giants, the Broncos (in Denver), the Raiders (in San Diego -- Oakland beat the Chargers in the Bay Area earlier this year) and the Chiefs. I count four wins and four losses, if I dare to play this zany game.

Philip Rivers can beat anyone, having enjoyed a resurgence under McCoy. San Diego's defense is superbly coached by coordinator John Pagano, though injuries to Dwight Freeney and Melvin Ingram have sapped the unit of talent. The defense was brilliant in the Week 6 win over Indy, not so much against the Redskins.

On NFL Network
NFL Replay
will re-air the Washington Redskins' 30-24 win over the San Diego Chargers from Week 9 on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

» NFL Network schedule

If the wheel stops spinning and the Chargers miss out, Sunday's defeat in Washington will loom large. But from here on out, Rivers -- who has a great completion percentage (72.2), a budding rapport with rookie receiver Keenan Allen, and four 300-yard passing games under his belt this season -- gives them a chance.

OK -- so the Jets and Chargers are flawed. How about the 4-4 Tennessee Titans?

Chris Johnson finally ran like an elite back (23 carries, 150 yards and his first two rushing touchdowns of the season) in Tennessee's gigantic 28-21 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. That's a major development for a Titans team that has been solid in 2013.

Coach Mike Munchak has done a great job. Quarterback Jake Locker, now healthy, has improved significantly from 2012. Looking ahead, the Titans have the luxury of facing the Jacksonville Jaguars twice in the second half -- that's two wins right there. On the flip side, of course, Tennessee has yet to face the Colts and still must travel to Denver. Games against Arizona, Oakland and Houston will be pendulum-swingers.

Ultimately, I think Tennessee will fall just short of nine wins. But the Titans' solid pass rush must be acknowledged, along with the fact that, if Johnson can keep running like this, they have a chance.

 

 

The 4-4 Dolphins are coming off of their best win of the year (a 22-20 overtime victory over the Bengals) but are also dealing with a major distraction in the wake of Jonathan Martin's departure and Richie Incognito's suspension amid allegations that Martin was mistreated by teammates. Miami is fortunate to be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.

I'm a fan of Ryan Tannehill, but I don't think Miami is consistent enough offensively to be taken too seriously. Still, that defense can change a game.

You see why my head hurts?

What about the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, who are 1½ games behind the Jets at 3-5? They have no identity. They are a subpar team falling below their previously unacceptable state of mediocrity. Behind a bad offensive line (the Ravens have allowed 25 sacks, tied for 11th in the NFL), Ray Rice (who has just 259 rushing yards this season) and Joe Flacco (who has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 10:9) have become true non-factors. The Ravens' defense doesn't change games. Baltimore has lost four of its past five games -- including Sunday's 24-18 defeat to the Cleveland Browns.

Oh, hey -- the Cleveland Browns!

Excuse me ... oh, hey -- the 4-5 Cleveland Browns!

Yes, the Browns just beat the Ravens in Cleveland -- with Jason Campbell. I'm sans speech.

Cleveland, which is one game behind New York, has a very strong defense and winnable matchups ahead, including one against the Jags and two with the Pittsburgh Steelers (deal with it, Pittsburgh; Cleveland is better). If Brian Hoyer was healthy, we could have had a conversation about Cleveland's playoff chances, but Campbell can't lead you to the promised land -- or can he?

Either way, make no mistake; Rob Chudzinski has energized the Browns, who have played really well since trading away Trent Richardson in September -- the point at which many observers (myself included) left them for dead.

And then there are the Buffalo Bills.

Really.

Buffalo is two games behind New York in the wild-card race at 3-6. On Sunday, the Bills were in prime position to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season -- if only backup quarterback Jeff Tuel hadn't been under the impression that Kansas City cornerback Sean Smith played for the Bills. Injured starter EJ Manuel is due back soon, having been cleared to return on Monday.

The Bills' schedule going forward is worth noting. They have the reeling Steelers in Pittsburgh, then they host the Jets. After a Week 12 bye, Buffalo hosts the wingless Falcons, visits the dead-in-the-water Bucs and that collection of guys masquerading as an NFL team known as the Jaguars before finishing with the Dolphins and Pats. With a dominant defensive line, a healthy C.J. Spiller and three tissue-paper-soft games, could the Bills make things sticky? I think so.

As for the Raiders, who are still technically in the mix at 3-5, well, they just allowed Nick Foles to throw seven touchdown passes against them. I love Terrelle Pryor, but you can't take Oakland seriously.

 

 

So how do I see things shaking out? The Jets and Titans have exhibited toughness all year. Remember, also, that Tennessee drubbed New York at the end of September -- and who knew that game would be mentioned in November in a discussion of potential tie-breakers? The Chargers, meanwhile, have the best quarterback among the group, while the Bills have the schedule advantage -- and are about to get their promising rookie signal-caller back.

All that said, we could be laughing in a few weeks that some of these teams were even included in this discussion. My gut feeling is that the Chargers will survive the insanity -- but after Sunday, my gut is in knots. Again, ultimately, I don't know. Nobody does. That's what makes this amazing.

So buckle up. Grab the Advil. It's going to be an unpredictable ride.

[JerryK]

The Jets can go to the playoffs this year, but they probably won't be able to sit together.

[GenoandtheJets]

Yes they have to just win 4 to 5 more games to get that 6th wild card spot