The Jets players are – through a silent code of conduct – forbidden to utter the “P” word, so we’re going to do it for them.
The Jets – based not only on their 38-10 shellacking of the Packers Sunday in Green Bay but on their body of work the last seven weeks-are going to the playoffs.
In the infamous words of former Saints and Colts head coach Jim Mora, “Playoffs?” That’s right, playoffs.
With four regular-season games remaining, the Jets are 7-5 and sit in a five-way tie with the Broncos, Jaguars, Chiefs and Bengals for the two wild-card playoff berths.
The Jets, who have won two straight, three of their last four and five of their last seven since a 41-0 loss two months ago in Jacksonville, play the 5-7 Bills Sunday. That’s followed by road games in Minnesota against the Vikings, who are also 5-7, and then in Miami against the Dolphins, who are 5-7 as well.
The regular-season finale is a home game against the pathetic Raiders, who are 2-10 and well en route to quitting, if they haven’t already.
The cumulative record of the Jets’ final four regular-season opponents is 17-31, by far the worst opponent record among their wild-card competition.
Two wins in their next three games will virtually clinch the Jets a playoff berth, because that Oakland game on Dec. 31 might as well be a bye week. Art Shell might have a hard time getting 45 players to board the team plane to fly cross country for that game.
Three wins in the last four gets the Jets into the playoffs barring anything unforeseen. And three of four seems likely for this Jets team that Eric Mangini clearly has on the ascent; it does not look like a team poised to stub its toe against a lesser opponent.
In fact, the Jets look better with every game they play.
“We’ve been putting more and more complete games together, and that’s what’s important,” Mangini said yesterday. “I thought New England (a 17-14 win) was a good example of that.
As we collectively perform well in each area, I think that anything is reachable with that type of consistent effort.” Echoed Chad Pennington, who has put two fabulous games together since his job was placed in question by many after a poor performance against the Bears three games ago: “We seem to be putting full games together now.
“That’s important later on in the season. In order to be successful you have to complement each other in all facets of the game.” The Jets indeed are playing well on offense, defense and special teams. Offensively, they’ve scored 64 points in their past two games. Defensively, they’ve allowed 45 points in their past four. Special teams have continued to be a force.
All that has the Jets excited.
They know what the calendar says and they know where they are in the standings.
“It’s something that’s out there, and when you’re playing football in December, it’s always an issue,” Mangini said of the playoff anticipation and excitement.
“When you’re in that mix, it’s difficult. You’re aware of it, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win the games that you have to play.
“We’re excited about the progress we’re making, and there’s still a quarter of the season left; that’s the way we’re approaching it. I appreciate the excitement. I appreciate the fans’ excitement.
But if we lose track of the next game and get caught up in the other things that are happening, then that’s when you let a game slip away.”
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AFC Wild-Card race
The surging Jets find themselves in a five-team scrum for the two AFC Wild-Card positions. A closer look at those teams’ remaining schedules:
JAGUARS (7-5)
DATE OPPONENT
Dec. 10 Indianapolis
Dec. 17 at Tennessee
Dec. 24 New England
Dec. 31 at Kansas City
CHIEFS (7-5)
DATE OPPONENT
Dec. 10 Baltimore
Dec. 17 at San Diego
Dec. 23 at Oakland
Dec. 31 Jacksonville
BENGALS (7-5)
DATE OPPONENT
Dec. 10 Oakland
Dec. 18 at Indianapolis
Dec. 24 at Denver
Dec. 31 Pittsburgh
BRONCOS (7-5)
DATE OPPONENT
Dec. 10 at San Diego
Dec. 17 at Arizona
Dec. 24 Cincinnati
Dec. 31 San Francisco
JETS (7-5)
DATE OPPONENT
Dec. 10 Buffalo
Dec. 17 at Minnesota
Dec. 25 at Miami
Dec. 31 Oakland
