The wait continues for Jets fans, who saw their team miss the playoffs last season by losing the regular season finale in Buffalo. It was a torturous loss for the Jets, falling to their former coach, Rex Ryan. And in some ways, it spoiled many of the good feelings that had built up throughout a 10-6 season in 2015.
The Jets have an uncertain quarterback situation, with Ryan Fitzpatrick remaining unsigned. Ideally, the Jets would have Fitzpatrick return as their starter in 2016, even though he’s too old, at 33, to be their quarterback of the future. Geno Smith gives them a game-tested backup. It would probably be bad news if the Jets were pressed into playing rookie Christian Hackenberg in 2016.
New York Jets Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Jets Over 8 Wins +130
Jets Under 8 Wins -155
The Jets still have not made the playoffs since 2010, when they reached their second of two straight AFC title games under Ryan. But 2015 gave them reasons to hope, as general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles – both rookies in those jobs – made promising debuts.
Now, it’s playoffs or bust for these Jets in 2016, as they face a more challenging schedule. Conquering the Patriots in the AFC East won’t be easy, so the Jets could again find themselves clawing for a Wild Card berth in Week 17. But after winning eight, six, eight and four games, respectively, from 2011-14, they at least now have something to build on.
Smith is waiting to retrieve what was once his and should the Fitzpatrick fiasco continue, Smith has first dibs at the starting quarterback job. But under Bowles the Jets were about defense and nobody has noticed that stud defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is still without a contract. His absence would hurt a lot more since there are few options behind him on the defensive line.
2016 New York Jets Schedule
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals ( -1 )
Week 2: at Buffalo Bills ( -2 )
Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs ( -3.5 )
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks ( -2 )
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers ( -6 )
Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals ( -4 )
Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens ( +4 )
Week 8: at Cleveland Browns ( +5 )
Week 9: at Miami Dolphins
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Rams ( +4 )
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots ( -2.5 )
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts ( +2 )
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers PK
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins ( +5 )
Week 16: at New England Patriots ( -6.5 )
Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills
Yes, a lot depends on the quarterback situation, and the performance at the position, once the situation is settled. But the time has come for the Jets to take a step forward and get back into the playoffs. It won’t be easy. Five of their first six opponents in 2016 made the playoffs last season. From Week 2 through Week 9, the Jets face a tough eight-game stretch that includes just two home games. But if they’re able to weather all of that, they’ll get a chance to exorcise the demons of last season, because they play the Bills again in the regular-season finale – this time at home.
QUICK PICK
The Jets saw a huge upgrade in their offensive performance in 2015, especially in the red zone. They finished third in the NFL in red zone percentage last year, compared to last in 2014. Whether that continues depends largely on the quarterback situation. Even if Fitzpatrick is back, can he repeat his career-year success from 2015?
The Jets were among the NFL’s best defenses in 2015 and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue, as Bowles remains one of the NFL’s top defensive minds. The strength is up front with one of the best defensive lines, but it will suffer if Wilkerson decides against playing.
There are more problems than just the Patriots. When do the Jets pull their offer to Fitzpatrick off the table? At some point, it becomes unfair to Smith, who has worked all offseason as the starter, to hand Fitzpatrick the starting job if he decides to sign. Until there is a resolution, this will continue to hang over the club.
The contract situation with their starting quarterback from last season and best defensive player needs to be settled one way or another by the time the season starts. With four of their first six games on the road, the longer this drags on, the more detrimental it will be to the team.
NFL Odds: New York Jets Under 8 Wins
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