Jets - This is their (other) year
The Jets are an amazing 7-3 and in first place in the AFC east. Over the past six years, the Jets have had a winning season (and made the playoffs) every other year. On some basic level this makes sense. All NFL teams have a salary cap and thus the talent level is pretty consistent. If a team has a good season, the following year their schedule with be tougher, likewise if they are horrible, they will play other bad teams the next season. So is it fair to say the Jets are just good against poor teams? Yes, but who cares.
The Jets invested heavily in winning this year, signing a series of veteran stars, of which almost all of them have worked out. Farve, although past his prime, is still a significant upgrade over Pennington. Fanica and Woody, also over the hill, are still a huge upgrades and has steadied the offensive line. Calvin Pace has been excellent and Kris Jenkins is a dominant force on defense, actually helping to stop the run for the first time in my lifetime. 1st round draft choice Vernon Goldston was a complete bust, but Dustin Keller has been decent. Late round pick Dwight Lowery has only been average, but still an upgrade over what they had. Combined with young stars, like Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes, the team is vastly more taltented than they were last year. Still, they have huge weaknesses at CB and Safety, which better passing teams will attack (see Denver week 13).
Anyway, although they are in first place today, the playoffs are definately not a lock. In reality, the Jets have only have a one game lead over Miami, New England, Baltimore, and Indy. Buffalo and San Diego are still in the mix, but basically three of those first five teams will make the playoffs. And if the Jets lose to 10-0 Tennesee this week, they might drop out of being one of those top three. After that their schedule gets easier, but I think it will come down to last week or two.
No matter what, the signing of Farve and everyone else was a great move. Even if the Jets don't make the playoffs, it will still have been an interesting season. Even if the veterans breakdown next year and the Jets suck again, I won't worry beucause the year after will be a good one again.
The Jets invested heavily in winning this year, signing a series of veteran stars, of which almost all of them have worked out. Farve, although past his prime, is still a significant upgrade over Pennington. Fanica and Woody, also over the hill, are still a huge upgrades and has steadied the offensive line. Calvin Pace has been excellent and Kris Jenkins is a dominant force on defense, actually helping to stop the run for the first time in my lifetime. 1st round draft choice Vernon Goldston was a complete bust, but Dustin Keller has been decent. Late round pick Dwight Lowery has only been average, but still an upgrade over what they had. Combined with young stars, like Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes, the team is vastly more taltented than they were last year. Still, they have huge weaknesses at CB and Safety, which better passing teams will attack (see Denver week 13).
Anyway, although they are in first place today, the playoffs are definately not a lock. In reality, the Jets have only have a one game lead over Miami, New England, Baltimore, and Indy. Buffalo and San Diego are still in the mix, but basically three of those first five teams will make the playoffs. And if the Jets lose to 10-0 Tennesee this week, they might drop out of being one of those top three. After that their schedule gets easier, but I think it will come down to last week or two.
No matter what, the signing of Farve and everyone else was a great move. Even if the Jets don't make the playoffs, it will still have been an interesting season. Even if the veterans breakdown next year and the Jets suck again, I won't worry beucause the year after will be a good one again.
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