Content available exclusively for subscribers
It’s not just some friend speaking.
It should happen.
“I think for sure they make the playoffs,” former Green Bay offensive tackle David Baktiari said to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I don’t think it’s wise for any betting man to say Aaron Rodgers isn’t going to make the playoffs.”
This isn’t some wild pie in the sky statement from a close friend of Rodgers.
The Jets should be playing in the second season unless Rodgers gets injured. Not hurt, but injured. There is a difference.
But even if he gets injured, and misses a few games, they still should be able to make the playoffs with Tyrod Taylor managing a few games.
As scouts like to say about certain quarterbacks, “They can get you through a few games.”
Taylor is one of those guys.
But if Rodgers misses a lion’s share of the games, for whatever reason, all bets are off.
But if Rodgers stays healthy, and the Jets don’t make the playoffs, that will be troubling.
Considering they have Rodgers, and a strong roster, combined with a ridiculously easy schedule, no playoffs this year is pretty much unacceptable.
For goodness sake, look at these first five games:
Week 1: Monday, September 9 at 49ers
Week 2: Sunday, September 15 at Titans
Week 3: Thursday, September 19 vs. Patriots
Week 4: Sunday, September 29 vs. Broncos
Week 5: Sunday, October 6 vs. Vikings
No excuse for not being at least 4-1.
Of course, at San Francisco in Week 1 is very difficult, so let’s say they lose that game, the next four, they are facing teams with dubious quarterback situations, and the Jets should have a huge advantage at the position with Rodgers under center in these contests.
Think about these matchups in Weeks 2-5 – Rodgers against Will Levis, Rodgers against Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye, Rodgers against Bo Nix or Zach Wilson, Rodgers against J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold.
C’mon now.
These are mismatches of biblical proportions.
And I know that it’s not just Rodgers taking the field in these games, but is there a sport around where one position impacts the game more than NFL football?
Also, the Jets probably have better overall rosters than those teams in Week 2-5.
And then after facing Buffalo in Week 6, their next game is against Pittsburgh, a team with a very shaky QB situation – Russell Wilson coming off three of his worst seasons or Justin Fields, who Chicago moved on from after three seasons due to his suspect field vision and decision-making.
Then New England again.
I’m not going to go over the whole schedule, but aside from a few games, it’s not exactly a murderer’s row of signal callers on the Jets’ schedule.
And the Jets could be favored in all their games, by the wise guys in Las Vegas, perhaps aside from their games at Buffalo and San Francisco.
So if Rodgers is under center the whole season, or close to it, Baktiari is right, the Jets should make the playoffs.
And don’t be surprised if the Jets have an injury at offensive tackle, Baktiari is wearing green and white at some point this season, if his knee checks out.
June 21, 2024
Premium will return by 9:30 pm (or sooner) on Monday.
