Jets Takeoff

As pointed out in today’s Connecticut Post, the Jets are still alive in the playoff picture. With four games remaining, the situation is complicated, but here we go:

The Jets essentially put themselves here with two devastating losses (Buffalo and Jacksonville) at home. New York should be 8-4 right now and we’d be having a much different discussion.

New England, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and San Diego are going to win their divisions so they’re all in. That leaves two spots for the taking.

The Jets (6-6) join Miami (6-6), Jacksonville (7-5), Baltimore (6-6), Pittsburgh (6-6), and Denver (8-4) as the teams vying for those final two spots.

The Jets loss to the Jaguars and two losses to the Dolphins certainly hurt their chances. But the Steelers are in trouble, the Ravens lost last night, and would you be surprised if Miami and Jacksonville lose a couple games down the stretch?

The problem for the Jets, as well, is that they play at Tampa Bay (win), Atlanta (toss-up), Indianapolis (loss), and Cincinnati (toss-up). There’s no way they’re beating the Colts, unless Indy uses Week 16 to rest its starters. The games against the Falcons and Bengals could go either way, though the Jets should have no problem with the 1-11 Bucs this weekend.

Essentially, the Jets need to win their last four games. That makes those losses to Buffalo and Jacksonville hurt even more.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Jets won on the road when they needed the game badly. That’s a good sign. Playing in Toronto on a short week against a team that embarrassed them at home earlier this season, the Jets deserve credit for this win. And it keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Mark Sanchez still needs to learn how to slide. He hurt his right knee in this one and left the game early. Fortunately for the rookie, it sounds like he’ll be back.

Sanchez’s go-ahead touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards right before halftime gave the Jets a 16-10 lead. With Kellen Clemens in for Sanchez, the defense took over the rest of the way.

Darrelle Revis, the best cornerback in the NFL, held Terrell Owens to to three catches for 31 yards.

Thomas Jones carried the ball 23 times for 109 yards.

Big night for the Jets as they take on the Bills north of the border. A Jets’ win puts them at 6-6 and in position for a playoff run. A loss means the end of any playoff talk. New York is a better team than Buffalo, but they lost to the Bills earlier this season at the Meadowlands. Tonight in Toronto will be a different story. Jets 19, Bills 16.

Writing in yesterday’s Connecticut Post, AP scribe Dennis Waszak Jr. had an article on Darrelle Revis. Though three months late (I’ve been reporting this all season), Waszak is right: Revis is the best cornerback in football. It’s not even a question at this point.

Revis has 53 tackles, 21 passes defensed,and a team-leading four interceptions. He’s shut down Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Steve Smith, and Terrell Owens. He’ll have another shot at Owens tonight. My money is on Revis.

David Harris

Let’s face it. This was a big win for the Jets. I’ve been saying for a while now that they’re not going to make the playoffs, and I still don’t think they will, but in the NFL anything can happen, and that’s why Sunday’s win over the Panthers at least keeps the Jets alive. Hey, with the Giants struggling at 6-5, the Jets are still a story in New York.

The key play in Sunday’s game was Darrelle Revis’ 67-yard interception return for a touchdown as Carolina was driving in the first quarter. Because of Revis’ heroics (he added another interception later on), New York never trailed. Kerry Rhodes, demoted to nickel and dime situations, also had two interceptions.

And then there’s the rookie quarterback. Mark Sanchez was 13-of-17 for 154 yards in his first game since Rex Ryan took a more active role in the offense, and in Sanchez. Nothing spectacular, but better decision making, only one interception, and no fumbles.

At 5-6, the Jets are one game behind Jacksonville and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spot in the AFC. In the NFL, anything is possible.