Week 9 of the NFL’s Sunday slate could not have gone any better for the New York Jets.
The entire AFC East lost, key contenders for the AFC Playoff crown also fell, and it leaves Gang Green with a golden opportunity to end their decade-long playoff drought at the midway point of the NFL season. Of course, that all comes down to if the Jets can handle their own business Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
At 4-3, it’s far from a guarantee that New York will make the postseason. Heck, the team was 7-4 last year before losing their final six games. Monday night’s contest holds a unique opportunity for head coach Robert Saleh and his team.
A win against the Chargers would increase the Jets’ playoff chances to over 65% according to Pro Football Focus. Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Miami Dolphins over in Germany, New York can trail the AFC East lead by just a half-game in the standings.
Let’s look at them here and the tiebreaking procedures currently in play (Along with the AFC Playoff picture).
AFC East Standings
1. Miami Dolphins – 6-3 (2-1 Divisional Record) (4-2 Conference Record) (SOV: .260)
2. New York Jets – 4-3 (1-1 Divisional Record) (2-2 Conference Record) (SOV: .514)
3. Buffalo Bills – 5-4 (1-2 Divisional Record) (2-4 Conference Record) (SOV: .432)
4. New England Patriots – 2-7 (2-2 Divisional Record) (2-3 Conference Record) (SOV: .563)
Note:
After divisional record, head-to-head matchups, and conference record, the last tiebreaking procedure is strength of victory percentage.
AFC Playoff Picture
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2 Record) Conference Record – 5-1
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2 Record) Conference Record – 4-2
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2 Record) Conference Record – 4-2
4. Miami Dolphins (6-3 Record) Conference Record – 4-2
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3 Record) Conference Record – 4-2
6. Cleveland Browns (5-3 Record) Conference Record – 3-2
7. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3 Record) Conference Record – 1-3
8. New York Jets (4-3 Record) Conference Record – 2-2
9. Buffalo Bills (5-4 Record) Conference Record – 2-4
As you can see, a win against the Chargers would not only catapult the Jets into a playoff spot, but it would allow them to jump even the Cleveland Browns for the sixth seed if the playoffs began today.
Los Angeles is fighting for their playoff lives too though. With a franchise quarterback like Justin Herbert and offensive stars like Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen at their disposal – there’s a reason why the Jets are seen as underdogs in this contest.
But that’s the beauty of trying to compete for a playoff spot with a backup quarterback. Style points don’t matter, and the deficiancies of an offense can be wiped away with a fourth straight win against a top opponent. New York has the tools with an elite defense to make games ugly and allow their offense to produce at just the right time.
A win Monday in front of their home crowd can change the whole complexion of the 2023 season for the Jets. Nothing is final, but a win against a good team and good quarterback can be wonders for the confidence of a team like this for the rest of the year.
It may not be a “must-win” contest, but it sure feels like it after Sunday’s results.
