Aaron Rodgers already has said that he doesn’t see a path to returning in 2023 if the New York Jets are not in contention for a playoff berth in the coming weeks.
What does that mean for Gang Green though? Does New York have to win the remaining six games of their season to have a chance at the playoffs? Will winning their next couple be enough for Rodgers to get back on the football field this season?
These questions have been asked over the coming weeks as Rodgers’ return to Florham Park drew closer. The four-time NFL MVP has returned to Jets practice and has teased a possibility that he could return earlier than the Christmas Eve date that was being pushed towards when he suffered his torn Achilles 77 days ago.
New York is 4-7 though. They’ve lost four straight games and have not scored over 14 points in the last five contests. Their offensive line is on their 13th different player, and they have no real receiving threat on the outside of Garrett Wilson.
Making matters worse for the Jets is their upcoming schedule features battles against the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns – all teams vying for a playoff spot as we enter the month of December.
New York will not just need to win these four games, but the other two additional ones against struggling Washington and New England to stay in the hunt in the AFC. As it currently stands, Gang Green finds themselves second to last in the AFC with the Titans and Chargers.
Should the Tim Boyle-led squad win their next two games against the Falcons and Texans, a 6-7 mark could certainly entice Rodgers to come back and try to win the final four games.
Even then, though, their playoff hopes would not be a given.
The three wild card teams currently positioned in the AFC are the Pittsburgh Steelers (5th seed), Cleveland Browns (6th seed), and Indianapolis Colts (7th seed). Each of those teams has at least four losses. One of those teams, along with other contenders like the Texans, Broncos, and Bills will need to lose several games in the coming weeks to even give the Jets a chance to sniff a potential playoff berth.
Keep in mind, that New York does not have the tiebreaking scenario with teams like the Chargers, Bills, or Raiders due to previous losses this year. Can the Jets end up saving their season? It’ll all start on Sunday.
Below, we look at the upcoming schedules for all teams vying for the seventh and final wild-card spot in the AFC Playoffs that have a chance to get there (teams like the Bengals are excluded due to losing their QB).
7th Seed – Indianapolis Colts
@ Tennessee Titans (4-7)
@ Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
@ Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
vs. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
vs. Houston Texans (6-5)
8th Seed – Houston Texans
vs. Denver Broncos (6-5)
@ New York Jets (4-7)
@ Tennessee Titans (4-7)
vs. Cleveland Browns (7-4)
vs. Tennessee Titans (4-7)
@ Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
9th Seed – Denver Broncos
@ Houston Texans (6-5)
@ Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
@ Detroit Lions (8-3)
vs. New England Patriots (2-9)
vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
@ Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
10th Seed – Buffalo Bills
@ Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
vs. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
@ Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
vs. New England Patriots (2-9)
@ Miami Dolphins (8-3)
12th Seed – Las Vegas Raiders
vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
@ Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
@ Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
vs. Denver Broncos (6-5)
13th Seed – Los Angeles Chargers
@ New England Patriots (2-9)
vs. Denver Broncos (6-5)
@ Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
vs. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
@ Denver Broncos (6-5)
vs. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
15th Seed – New York Jets
vs. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
vs. Houston Texans (6-5)
@ Miami Dolphins (8-3)
vs. Washington Commanders (4-8)
@ Cleveland Browns (7-4)
@ New England Patriots (2-9)
