Could Jets win the AFC East?
With their upset win over the Bills on Sunday, the Jets pried open the door to a discussion many thought had been bolted shut.
Could New York win the AFC East?
At 6-3, New York is a half-game behind the 6-2 Bills, who began the season heavily favored to win the division.
The teams have relatively similar schedules remaining, both in terms of opponents played and, where the schedules diverge, in the quality of opponents. The Jets will face a weaker team in the Jaguars and a tough Seahawks team in Seattle. The Bills will face the struggling Browns and reigning AFC champion Bengals. (See Jets schedule here, Bills schedule here.) Both have a game remaining against NFC North leader Minnesota.
If the division becomes a two-team race between the Jets and Bills, the game that could decide the winner would likely be the rematch in Buffalo. This may be an even taller order for "Gang Green" because the Bills would probably have several defenders back from injury, including CB Tre'Davious White and linebacker Matt Milano.
If Jets QB Zach Wilson can build off his performance Sunday (career-best passer rating of 101.1), New York could sweep the season series.
Not to be overlooked are the Dolphins (6-3), who are also in the mix for the AFC East title. With an offense that may boast the NFL's first 2,000-yard receiver in Tyreek Hill (1,104 yards through nine games), Miami is a force. The Dolphins handed Buffalo its other loss.
The Jets held Hill to only 47 yards in their win over Miami in October, but Dolphins starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, who boasts a league-best passer rating of 115.9, missed that game with a concussion.
The Dolphins' schedule is easier than the schedules of the Bills and the Jets. Their most difficult out-of-division game is against the 4-4 49ers. Gang Green will likely need to get another win against the Dolphins to seal up the division.
A rematch against the Bills would test the Jets' defense, which is fifth in sacks and second in interceptions.
Of course, in the preseason, what Jets fan even dreamed of broaching this topic past the midway point of the season?
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