Jets Blog: They Earned It

By Peter Schwartz
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Let me start out by saying that I hate the saying, "they backed into the playoffs."

I've always believed that when the regular season ends and that "x", "y", asterisk, or other symbol is next to a team in the standings, then that team did enough to merit qualifying for the post-season.

I mean, if ten wins are enough to get a team into the playoffs, then does it really matter how or when those wins occurred?

In the Jets' case, ten wins, regardless of who they came against, was enough to have whatever applicable symbol next to their name in the NFL standings in various newspapers and websites around the country today.

Here's an example:

AFC East
x-New England Patriots 13-2
y-New York Jets 10-5
Miami Dolphins 7-8
Buffalo Bills 4-11

You see that "y" next to the Jets? That means that they are in the playoffs and will receive an official congratulatory letter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to honor the occasion (I know this because former Jets head coach Herman Edwards showed that letter to reporters during his press conference the day after the last time that the Jets "backed into the playoffs" in 2004).

In '04 the Jets lost their final two regular season games and needed help in the final week to nail down that a playoff spot. That was more of a "back-in" than this year.

There's no question that Sunday's 38-34 loss in Chicago was troubling in many ways, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. On second thought, make that just one way.

An inexcusable, sloppy, and disgraceful performance by the defense was the reason that they lost this game. I know that Santonio Holmes had a big fumble, Dustin Keller dropped a touchdown in the end zone, and Rex Ryan made a terrible decision to go for a fake punt on their own 40-yard line (although the ball should have been caught by Brad Smith), but what we saw from the defense was just awful.

They clearly have a lot to clean up over the next two weeks as they get set for whoever their first round opponent will be.

Mark Sanchez and the Jets got things going offensively. Sanchez shook off a sore shoulder and had a big game although that interception in the final minute was a bad throw; but they should never have been in that position.

Here are some other factoids from the game….

*The Jets recorded two sacks in the game and have sixteen in their last five games. The Jets have actually recorded a sack in seventeen straight games. Big deal! The lack of a legitimate pass rush is a huge deficiency on this team and it needs to be corrected during the off-season.

*Steve Weatherford dropped their more punts inside the twenty yard line giving him NFL leading 38 such boots for the season.

*For the second time this season, Dwight Lowery returned an interception for a touchdown. That's the seventh time in team history that a Jet player has recorded two pick-sixes in a season.

*This marks the fifth time in Jets history that Gang Green has made the playoffs in back to back seasons. Previously, they did it in 1968/1969, 1981/1982, 1985/1986, and 2001/2002. The feats were performed with five different head coaches…..Ryan, Herman Edwards, Joe Walton, Walt Michaels, and Weeb Ewbank.

So now we turn the page on the Bears game and take a look at what lies ahead for Gang Green.

The Jets objective at the beginning of the season was a lofty one. Ryan's missive was to make the playoffs, win the AFC East, and have the best record in the NFL.

When you think about it, one out of three is not bad but a little disappointing for the Jets. They are in the playoffs as a wild card and will attempt to duplicate and perhaps exceed what they did last year in advancing to the AFC Championship Game.

One thing is for certain. This Jets team is not nearly as equipped to make a run as last year's.

Why?

As we've discussed, the defense is not as good as last year. Also, the throwing shoulder of Sanchez may still be a question and the running game is not as stout as it was last season.

After what amounts to being a meaningless regular season finale against the Bills on Sunday, the Jets will be on the road for the first round of the playoffs, likely against the Chiefs.

As Ryan hinted after the game on Sunday, expect not much than a glorified pre-season game against the Bills. I would think Sanchez would be given the day off or possibly just limited action. Maybe the likes of Ladainian Tomlinson, Shaun Ellis, and Darrelle Revis are all spectators from the sideline at some point so that they can rest up for the playoffs.

That means lots of Joe McKnight, Marcus Dixon, and maybe even some Emmanuel Cook.

That's it for now. Enjoy the snow wherever you are! Check back later in the week for a preview of the Jets/Bills game.