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Aside from Buffalo and Kansas City, the AFC is pretty bad this year.
The Jets have no excuse to miss the playoffs for a 14th straight year.
Who thought that both Cincinnati and Jacksonville, teams with quarterbacks making $55 million-a-year, would each start the season 0-3?
There have only been four teams to make the playoffs after starting 0-3.
So what teams, aside from Buffalo and Kansas City, are really good in the AFC?
The Baltimore Ravens who lost to the Las Vegas Raiders at home two weeks ago?
The Houston Texans that got blown out by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday?
The Los Angeles Chargers with their franchise QB and stud left tackle hurt?
The Pittsburgh Steelers with one read-and-run Chicago Bears castoff Justin Fields at quarterback?
With a loaded roster and Aaron Rodger at quarterback, there is no excuse for the Jets this year. They have to make the playoffs.
Even if red-hot Buffalo wins the division, if Rodgers stays healthy, no excuse for not getting one of the three wildcard spots.
None.
And even if something did happen to Rodgers, they still should land a wildcard spot, if they have to play Tyrod Taylor.
The AFC is terrible.
I know the Jets players and coaches should not look this far ahead to the playoffs, after just three games, but I can.
Are the Jets a perfect team?
Absolutely not, but what team is in a league with a salary cap?
Their run defense is still a concern.
It was a little better against New England, but they are not out of the woods on this front. The Patriots’ offensive line is a disaster right now. Not taking anything away from the Jets’ impressive defensive effort against the Patriots, but that the Pats line is so bad, in a small way, that might have aided the Jets’ improved run defense on Thursday Night.
Getting massive defensive tackle Leki Fotu off injured reserve in a couple of weeks should help their run defense. When you put Fotu and Javon Kinlaw out there together, it’s very hard to run up the middle on the Jets.
The Jets nickel back situation is something to keep an eye on. Michael Carter is a very good slot corner, but the high ankle sprain he suffered in the summer, continues to rear its ugly head and Robert Saleh admitted it could be a problem on and off all season.
His backup is Brandon Echols, but some would argue he’s much better on the outside than in the slot, as we saw on his spectacular interception on a deep pass at Tennessee while filling in for the inactive D.J. Reed.
Their usually very reliable placekicker, Greg Zuerlein struggled in the final preseason game, and then missed a 45-yard field goal against New England. He should be able to iron this out, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
And now the Jets should be without starting right tackle Morgan Moses for 2-4 weeks with an MCL injury, and Olu Fashanu should be fine, but he’s still getting comfortable at right tackle.
But like I said, no team is perfect, but there is no doubt the Jets have one of the best rosters in the league and one of the best quarterbacks.
And AFC is terrible.
So it’s playoffs or bust for Gang Green in 2024-25.
September 24, 2024
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