After coming a few inches short of the postseason last year, the New York Jets have the pieces in place to make it a distant memory.
When Ryan Fitzpatrick’s deep ball down the right sideline went into and out of the hands of Kenbrell Thompkins, who had a clear path to the end zone, the New York Jets had officially been pronounced dead in their Week 17 pursuit of a playoff berth.
Rex Ryan had come back to haunt his former team yet again, the Jets had reverted back to their choking ways, and the Pittsburgh Steelers had snuck in as the sixth seed in the AFC.
It was simply a classic case of them “Good Ol’ Jets.” They are almost there, but not quite. Time after time, they cannot seem to get out of their own way.
In last year’s case, it was potentially their most talented non-playoff roster in franchise history.
This year, however, that will not be the case. Any fans currently writing Gang Green off prior to Week 1 kickoff are making a mistake they will soon regret.
The Jets are potent, they are fierce, and are as dangerous as they come in the AFC. There are a plethora of reasons as to why that is the complete and utter truth.
As the Jets proved late last year, an experienced team meshing at the same time is quite the brand of football to watch. Sitting at 5-5 with any playoff hopes in doubt, Gang Green ran off five straight convincing wins to improve to 10-5 heading into the season’s final week.
Why? Leadership, camaraderie, ultimate chemistry, and the distinct trait of knowing each other’s tendencies.
Above all, Ryan Fitzpatrick. He may not be the most skilled quarterback. In fact, he is probably in the bottom half of the league as far as skill set goes.
However, he knows how to get the job done and form a dynamic set with veteran offensive personnel. It is not only Fitzpatrick knowing each tendency. Everyone from the veteran linemen to the wideouts know what the 33-year-old has in store on a given day or night.
If Matt Forte can form that same chemistry with his teammates out of the backfield, the “been there, done that” nature of the team will only skyrocket.
This is a factor few teams can say they truly have, and it is one that will follow an experienced team into the 2016-2017 campaign.
When Mike Maccagnan brought in Brandon Marshall, everyone knew the offense had taken a large step forward. Not only did they gain one of the best red zone threats in the game but they added a consistent, reliable target.
What some failed to realize is the amount of stress it took off Eric Decker. Primarily a number two option his entire career in Denver, he rightfully did not adjust to being the guy in his first year in New York.
Placing Marshall on the opposite side of the field allowed Decker to thrive and live up to the expectations the Jets placed on him when they inked him to a deal. Together, they formed a dynamic tandem which truly showed in the final five to six weeks of the season.
The two stud wideouts combined for 2,529 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns over the 16 games. Decker effectively complemented Marshall, who was arguably the second most reliable receiver in all of football.
Sure, it is a new year, and many can argue that they may lose a step. However, it can also be argued that another year just adds to the duo’s forcefulness.
The Jets have the ability to field one of the best defensive units in the entire National Football League. In particular, their front seven is nothing short of stellar.
Muhammad Wilkerson returning is a major plus and given his newly-earned contract stability, expect his mind to be in the right place. Adding a full 16 games of Sheldon Richardson will provide an extremely promising jolt.
Furthermore, after totaling five sacks and 29 tackles last year, expect Leonard Williams to continue evolving in his sophomore season. The addition of former Pittsburgh Steeler Steve McLendon right in the thick of things can only help round out what should be a formidable defensive line.
Of course, this is when the Jets opt for a 4-3 set.
David Harris has not missed a game in seven years and seemingly never shows signs of tailing off. Paired with Erin Henderson, rookie Darron Lee, and Lorenzo Mauldin as mainstays will fill out what should be a rock-solid front seven.
Whether they go 3-4 (most likely) or 4-3 (sometimes), the Jets have the depth.
Fully expect Gang Green to bring the heat as they did last year, and quite possibly at a more explosive rate. Their constant pressure in the backfield helped them have the second ranked defense in average rushing yards allowed (83.4).
Plain and simple, they can run with their guns and maintain flexibility in the process.
Following the absolute circus which Rex Ryan created, having Todd Bowles at the helm was a polar opposite.
Almost never showing emotion, the first-year head coach stayed within himself and proved that he is one of the better football minds in the game today. Sure, there were some large hiccups early on which arguably cost the Jets a few victories and, therefore, a playoff spot.
That being the case, tying his youth as a head coach to the team’s overall performance is utter nonsense. New York does not go 10-6 without Bowles.
Now, in his second year, he has been through the long haul once and knows exactly what to expect. Bowles is a man of adjustments, and expect him to implement them both on himself and the team.
Having him leading the charge is essential if the Jets want to replicate, or go beyond, what they did last season. With a slate of returning players, he has now formed relationships and understandings with each individual.
Always undermining the substantiality of certain games, do not think for a second that Bowles does not live for success just as much as his players. Think of it in a different and unique way: he has the exact coaching mindset you want.
He does not stand at a podium prior to Week 1 proclaiming his team a champion, but he rather takes a “one game at a time” mentality. That is the approach of a winner.
Please, do not be ignorant enough to call the Jets a lost cause simply due to a rough early schedule. Remember, at their peak, they can topple each and every team in the dreaded first six games.
Here are the opening games that have been deemed impossible:
Week 1: vs. Bengals
Week 2: @ Bills
Week 3: @ Chiefs
Week 4: vs. Seahawks
Week 5: @ Steelers
Week 6: @ Cardinals
Yes, that is an opening slate which is harder than what most teams will have to face. Perhaps that is good for the Jets. The worst thing this team can possibly do is come out of the gates sleepwalking.
Knowing that they will be buried if they do, expect the men in green and white to bring their ‘A’ game week in and week out. Besides, which team on that schedule do the Jets have trouble matching up with?
Five of those six teams were playoff teams, with the other being the Bills, who they were 0-2 against, but Todd Bowles’ squad was of playoff caliber last year and is again this year.
To think they will come out of that stretch with a record less than 3-3 is naive. And, with a 3-3 split, they are perfectly set up for a playoff push in their final 10 games.
Week 7: vs. Ravens
Week 8: @ Browns
Week 9: @ Dolphins
Week 10: vs. Rams
Week 12: vs. Patriots
Week 13: vs. Colts
Week 14: @ 49ers
Week 15: vs. Dolphins
Week 16: @ Patriots
Week 17: vs. Bills
Expect the Jets to drop one in Foxborough and handle the Pats at MetLife as per usual, resulting in a 1-1 split. As for the rest, 5-2 seems like a realistic expectation — at the very least — against some lesser opponents.
Looks like 10-6 all over again. By beating the AFC teams potentially in their path, they will own tiebreakers in order to avoid another heartbreak. 10-6 will be enough, earning the Jets their first playoff appearance since 2010-2011.
The rest … well … let’s save that for another time.