When the New York Jets started 5-2, fans across the Tri-State Area wondered if an extended playoff run and possibly even a Super Bowl run were in the team’s near future.
But now, after a 27-22 loss to the streaking Minnesota Vikings, the Jets are 7-5 and have fallen to seventh place in the AFC, which puts them out of the postseason picture as of now.
Their chances of making the playoffs are now endangered.
New York Doesn’t Have An Answer At Quarterback
Months ago, it was thought that Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in last year’s NFL draft, was the Jets’ future signal-caller.
He suffered a meniscus tear in their first preseason game which forced him to sit until Week 4, and until then they seemed comfortable going with 37-year-old Joe Flacco under center.
But after seven substandard starts, he was not only benched by head coach Robert Saleh, he was actually demoted to the team’s third-string QB.
It is axiomatic that if an NFL team doesn’t have at least a decent QB, it has virtually no chance of making the playoffs, and the Jets’ closing schedule could prevent them from being an exception to that rule.
New York Has Three Tough Games Upcoming
Next Sunday, the Jets will travel to upstate New York to take on the Buffalo Bills, who are tied for the best record in the conference at 9-3.
Yes, they defeated the Bills at home a few weeks ago, but things are different once December arrives.
Once the new year arrives, New York will play the surprising Seattle Seahawks and the upstart Miami Dolphins to close out the regular season.
Right now, it is hard to imagine the team winning any of those contests, and losing all three of them could single-handedly knock it out of playoff contention.
NEXT: The Jets Are Now Being Fought Over By TV Networks
