It has been 20 years since the last time the New York Jets won the AFC East Division. This year might be their best shot to end the streak of futility.
While the AFC East continues to be strong with top playmakers on both sides of the ball, New York’s recent offseason moves and draft selections have put the team on the precipice of something they haven’t been able to accomplish since Curtis Martin was playing.
Here are five reasons why the Jets will finally get over the hump and win their division.
Aaron Rodgers evens the playing field
The one main position of weakness that kept the Jets from competing for the division crown last year was at quarterback.
That is obviously not going to be the case in 2023.
With Aaron Rodgers now at the helm, New York has an opportunity to possess the better quarterback in each divisional game this season – something that hasn’t happened in decades. Gang Green is immensely talented at almost every position and now that they have a franchise quarterback, it should give them a massive edge.
Last seasons struggles
New York’s downfall in 2022 can easily be tied to important injuries and poor quarterback play. It took away from a lot of good the team showed throughout the regular season though. Two top rookies, a dynamic defense, and improved offensive skill players set the stage for a more balanced and humble approach to the new season.
Many times throughout league history a young team needs to go through hard stretches to grow from them and learn how to win. 2022’s struggles could be the stepping stone to something special.
Divisional downgrade
The AFC East is a dominant division. Outside of their Eastern partners in the NFC, there may not be a more talented division where each team has a chance to compete for the top crown.
But divisional dominance is always fleeting.
Buffalo has lost a few pieces on defense while continuing to lack offensive creativity from their coaching staff. They are one Josh Allen injury from being very bad. Even if Allen stays healthy though, the fires of frustration have already crept into the locker room. The Bills can say nothing is wrong with Stefon Diggs but I doubt the receiver will agree if the team comes out slow to start the year.
Outside of the defending champs, the Patriots have been New York’s boogeyman but the talent level vastly favors the Jets this time around. No one knows how good Miami will be in 2023 with Tua’s health a factor as well. In short, while the AFC East should continue its stretch of great play, there’s no guarantee that it happens in 2023.
And that could lay the groundwork for the Jets to finally take home the crown.
They have the best non-QB in the division
With all due respect to Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs, the best non-QB in the AFC East lies with the Jets. Quinnen Williams is a superstar tackle and if he continues to build off a dominant 2022 season, he could very well be the best at his position overall this season. A 12-sack season from an interior defensive tackle is unheard of throughout NFL history and is usually followed by even more dominance later on.
In a way, Williams is the lone non-QB who can turn the tide in the entire division.
New York’s defense is the best in the division and a big reason why they’ll be in the hunt in 2023. Williams being the catalyst will tip the scales as well.
It’s time
21 years is a long time to go since last winning the division title. Miami and Buffalo are going to pose a major threat of course, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that New York has all the tools this season to finally do something their franchise hasn’t done in a long time.
It’s now or never for Gang Green.
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