One of these things is not like the others ...
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com listed a fateful eight in a Friday night post, namely a group that's blessed with the widest Super Bowl windows. There's hardly any surprise about the list-toppers (i.e. Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions in the first two) and the runner-ups which include recent playoff participants from Baltimore, Dallas, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Green Bay). But the inclusion of the New York Jets seems downright bizarre considering the fact that a mere playoff berth has proven elusive for 13 straight seasons, much less another Vince Lombardi Trophy hoist (a drought that officially turned 51 last month).
Yet, Brooks believes in the Jets' chances considering their young revolution and the presumed re-entry of Aaron Rodgers under center.
"Before you laugh at the Jets' inclusion on this list, you should probably spend some time studying the blue-chip talents on their roster," Brooks says. "The Jets have elite personnel at key spots, with Quinnen Williams (interior pass rusher), Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (cornerback), Quincy Williams (defensive playmaker), Garrett Wilson (wide receiver), and Breece Hall (running back) surrounding a four-time MVP at quarterback (Aaron Rodgers)."
To their credit, the young Jets have been a tad more competitive over the last two seasons despite drastic issues under center, winning seven games each time around. This year's slate included wins over playoff-contending groups from Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Houston despite Rodgers spending all but four plays of the season in rehab.
Brooks warns that the Jets do have legitimate issues to fix and that Rodgers' mere insertion won't be the be-all, end-all to their ever-so-prevalent woes. But even semi-competent quarterback play might've thrust them onto the AFC playoff bracket: four of their 10 losses, including a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the future champion Chiefs, came by one possession.
"Though the team's success hinges on a 40-year-old signal-caller attempting to bounce back from a season-ending Achilles injury, the veteran's experience and expertise should give New York an edge in close contests down the stretch," Brooks notes. "If Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh can repair the Jets' abysmal O-line, Gang Green has enough firepower to win high-scoring affairs, but the offense could also operate as a ball-control machine built to complement an elite defense."
If Brooks' visions prove prophetic, the Jets get off pretty easy: they face only one of their cohorts on the list next season, as a visit to San Francisco looms as part of their turn through the NFC West gauntlet.
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