3. New York Jets
Remember when the general consensus was that the Jets season was derailed because Geno Smith had his face smashed in? Now, it looks like the best thing that ever happened to the New York Jets. It may sound odd, but Ryan “The Amish Rifle” Fitzpatrick is a legitimate top-10 quarterback in the NFL right now, and his two top targets, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, are right up there too.
For years, the Jets path to success was through defense and running the football; it was for the first half of this season, too. But in the last month and a half, the Jets have catapulted themselves into playoff positioning with a dynamic passing attack, and it’s earned them five straight wins. If they take care of the Bills on Sunday, they’ll be riding a six-game winning streak into the playoffs; that’s nothing to scoff at.
I’ve been waiting for Fitzpatrick to turn back into the Ryan Fitzpatrick of old, the guy who had a 33-55-1 record before joining the Jets this season, but I don’t think it’s going to happen; apparently, he’s actually a good quarterback.
And all that said, the scariest part about the the Jets is still their defense. Darrelle Revis, Muhammed Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson aside, the guy who worries me the most is Todd Bowles, who’s one of the best and most-creative defensive coordinators in the NFL. I’m sure he’d have a lot of tricks up his sleeve if he got the opportunity to go up against Brock Osweiler in a playoff game.
HOW THEY MEET: (1) The Broncos, Chiefs, Jets and Steelers lose and the Bengals win, giving Denver the No. 3 seed; (2) The Broncos win and Patriots lose, giving Denver the No. 1 seed, and the Jets (6th seed) beat the Bengals in Wild Card Round; (3) The Broncos win and Patriots lose, giving Denver the No. 1 seed, and the Jets (5th seed) beat the Bengals and the Texans beat the sixth seed in Wild Card Round; (4) The Broncos win and Patriots win, giving Denver the No. 2 seed, and the Jets (fifth seed) and Chiefs win in Wild Card Round.
