Playoff Watch: Week 16
To call the past few weeks of the season an enigma would be an understatement. The Jets’ play has spawned numerous questions, from D Rose’s inquiry as to who the leaders are to Andrew Weiss’ pondering about what the team’s problems are. We are now two weeks away from playoffs or no playoffs, and how we ended up where we are is as much as a riddle as the rumor that Eddie Murphy will play the Riddler in the next Batman flick.
We must indeed win this week, but as much as our game is the only one that matters, a few other outcomes may affect our grip on the division or seed in the playoffs.
Showdown in the South
Jaguars (5-9) vs Colts (10-4) Go Jaguars!
Face it. The Colts are making the playoffs. The importance of this game is the Jaguars, hopefully, taking some steam out of this freight train that is on a seven-game winning streak. There’s a good chance we could face them in the first round of the playoffs, should we get that AFC East crown, and a little derailment of the Colts during the regular season could be an important ingredient in the recipe of a playoff victory over them.
AFC North Nuggets
Cowboys (9-5) vs Ravens (9-5) Go Cowboys!
As we rooted for the Steelers to take the Ravens down a peg last week, so we ask the Cowboys to repeat the favor this week. If the Ravens lose their last two games, it just may be enough to boost the Jets into a wildcard spot if they don’t take home the division title. Let’s hope T.O., Romo and company come together for this one, as the Ravens are steaming mad after last week’s controversial loss.
Steelers (11-3) vs Titans (12-2) Go Steelers! [EDITED]
As MoLewisSec135 pointed out last week, there’s no way we can beat out the Steelers for a bye week (even if they lose their last two) because of their conference record. HOWEVER, if the Titans lose their last two against the Steelers and the Colts, their conference record would match ours (should we beat the Phins) and our victory over the Titans could just play a tie breaker in getting us a bye week. And we can’t get beat the Titans for a bye either. So what does this mean? Nothing too much really. It’s wrong to cheer for injuries, so at bare minimum we can hope for a smashmouth game that will drain both of these mighty teams of their gusto, which could give a needed, albeit very slight, edge should we make the second round of the playoffs.
Division Domination
Chiefs (2-12) vs Dolphins (9-5) Go Chiefs!
It’s yet another time to cheer for Herm, and let’s hope he’s pushing hard for a win after an embarrassing collapse in the final minutes last week against the Chargers. A Chiefs win gives us much needed leverage on the division. I must admit, however, that I wouldn’t be surprised if Herm, subconsciously or not, rolled over for the Phins in order to make things more difficult for the Jets and easier for Pennington, who we know Herm loves dearly. We know Herm’s all about loyalty, let’s hope it’s with his current team and not his former QB.
Patriots (9-5) vs Cardinals (8-6) Go Cardinals!
Last week, the Cardinals clearly showed the lack of motivation that follows the clinching of a division with an embarrassing loss to the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Pats are fresh off a thrashing of the Raiders and will not go down without a fight. Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Blodin should step up this week and show the league why they made the Pro Bowl as a trio. Let’s hope they can pick apart that Pats secondary.
Bills (6-8) vs Broncos (8-6) Go Bills!
The Bills gave us a win last week, so let’s hope they give themselves a victory this week. Denver won’t go down easily, as they still need to clinch their own division. Still, a Buffalo victory increases the Jets’ chances of playing the lower seed in the first round of the playoffs if we get the division crown. As things look right now, that would mean playing a team that’s not the Colts, which would be a good thing for us.
What say you readers?
Filed under: Opinion
Im sorry but you are dead wrong.
Its not possible for the jets to get the 2 seed from tennessee. Tenesse has 2 losses now and if they lose the next 2, they would have 4. Thet jets already have 5 losses.
its also very important for us to stay away from the colts.
Our pass defense is horrible. Just imagine what manning could do to it.
Damn, your right about Tennesse, My bad. That’s what I get for writing this at work. oh well.
We want the Steelers from the perspective that if we do beat Miami and get the #3 seed, Tennessee is (to me) more beatable on the road than Pittsburgh (being that we did it once already), and the Colts/Denver can deal the Steelers.
“A Chiefs win gives us much needed leverage on the division”
…only if we tie Miami and Pats lose two.
The Chiefs game seems like more of a mental situation to me. If the Dolphins go into a 5 degree 25MPH windy stadium and win, they will not be at all afraid of the Meadowlands wind and weather on a (possible) Sunday night. But if they lose to a bad team, they will blame the conditions (14 games in nice weather to this point), and it would be human nature to doubt themselves about their ability to beat the conditions the following week on the road again.
greg is correct. The Dolphins/Chiefs game means nothing to us. There’s no “leverage” to gain. Either way, if we lose to Miami, we’re probably out, and either way, if we beat Miami, we’re probably in.
We all need to pray for NE and Miami losses this weekend.
A loss by Miami does nothing for us.
question:
If we win and the phins and pats lose, do win clinch the division?
No. If Miami beats us the following week, we lose our tiebreakers with the Dolphins and Patriots.
Think about this:
If the Ravens lose to the suddenly resurgent Cowboys in Dallas on Saturday night, then beat the Jags at home next week. They’ll finish 10-6.
And if the Jets win their last two, including Game 16 against Miami, then Miami will finish at 10-6.
And if New England wins out against Arizona at home, then @ Buffalo, then they’ll win the final wild card spot, and guess who we’ll be hosting at the Meadowlands Wildcard Weekend?
We’re getting way ahead of ourselves, but since this particular blog post is about the Jets and the playoffs, I’m rooting for Baltimore this weekend. It won’t be any walk in the park playing them in the wildcard game, but we match up better against them than New England, IMHO. Flacco is not Cassell (at least not yet) and they dont’ have anyone named Moss running routes for them.
if we do win the division and the ravens and colts are the WC teams, wow. we would have our hands full
at this point, i would obviously be pumped to win the division. i cant remember a year with 2 stronger WC teams.
Ferraro41 -
The Ravens scare me A LOT more than the Pats do. We hung 34 points on the Pats in Foxboro and their defense has gotten worse since then. I understand Flacco’s a rookie and all, but that defense is great.
Besides, even allowing that the Pats would be a tougher matchup, wouldn’t you prefer to have a Wild Card spot open, rather than having to win the division or bust?
Good point Joe B, but were taking home the division and whether it’s the Pats or Ravens hell throw the Colts in there as well we’re going to win that game
Actually, a loss by Miami (other than mentally which I mentioned above), could help us in that, if the Pats win out and Miami loses to the Chiefs, the Dolphins will likely be mathematically eliminated by kickoff Sunday Night (assuming we are the NBC game). Miami would be playing for the Pats to win the division, a team that scored a TD on them in a blowout with 4 seconds to play (I thought fair since 4th down but they were pissed).
Greg:
I don’t think that matters. You don’t think the Dolphins, with Chad Pennington at QB, would relish the chance to knock the Jets out of the playoffs. Seeing as how good Chad’s been this season, and how important he’s been. I don’t see them rolling over for the Jets of all teams.
how much do you really buy into the whole letting another win to knock someone else out? This is not an opinion it’s a question.
how much do you really buy into the whole letting another TEAM win to knock someone else out? This is not an opinion it’s a question.
One other thing, speaking of permutations. Here is a neat possibility for the final game of the year (though I don’t think NBC would enjoy this):
It’s also a great scenario for the Jets.
We beat Seattle and Miami loses to Chiefs this week.
The Ravens lose next week to the Jags and the Pats lose to the Bills.
Denver loses one game.
That sets up your Sunday Night Football game. Jets win, they get #3 seed. Jets lose, and the Dolphins get the #3 seed. The loser gets the #6 seed on tiebreakers. Essentially the two teams are playing for home field advantage in round one.
I may be wrong on the Dolphins getting the #6 over Ravens/Pats on tiebreakers, I only went so far as to see that the Jets would go to Miami the next week for the playoffs if they lose to Miami week 17 (interesting enough!). If Ravens/Pats lose both, it is certain the Fins get the #6 on a loss and come back to Meadowlands.
I thought interesting anyway.
So, in order to win the division, will have to beat the Fins. A win this week helps assure that the Pats can’t get it if they can win their final two games.
biebs — I never said the Dolphins would roll over for anyone. But if you think the team would play with the same intensity knowing a win gets them the #3 seed and a home game in the playoffs, compared to playing a few hours after being knocked out of the playoffs suddenly, you are crazy. I’d rather play the team that just got kicked in the nads.
greg,
Dolphins can’t beat Ravens in a tie-breaker because they lost to them head-to-head.
Brian, this reminds me of 2005, when the two WC teams were the 12-4 Jags (lost to 13-0 Indy twice) and the SB champion Steelers
good point mole, so ravens would need to lose 2 for fins to also have WC if they lose in that scenario.
More important would be Jets having the cushion and a loss only means they go to Miami for a rematch instead of hosting the Ravens or Pats.
Maybe they lose on purpose for the better matchup? j/k
if baltimore loses saturday the jets only have to beat the dolphins to get in the playoffs…jets have the tie-breaker on strenth of scheduale with the ravens
johnl -
Same scenario if Baltimore beats Dallas and New England loses to Arizona.
what do you mean? joe b
If New England loses this Sunday, we only have to beat the Dolphins to win the division.
o.k i get your point
lets just get a win this sunday!!!! and then worry about the fins!!!!
I think everyone forgets we are playing a seahawk team thats gonna wanna win one for their coach’s last home game
As a JET fan who do we root for tonight Jags???
Does it matter if COLTS lose?
Win 6 !!!!!! Nothing else matters!!!
FYI, the Weather in KC Sunday is 16 degrees as the high for the day with High Winds.
In NE it’s a high of 39 degrees, wintery mix and High Winds. Advantage home team both games.
DO NOT focus on the playoff picture! The Seattle Seahawks are what should be occupying our thoughts this week.
Other sites may have something like this, but I thought this was cool. It answers many questions / saves some math time.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoffscenario?algorithm=currentStandings
Get a lead, take the crowd out and pressure Seneca, while running TJ down their throats. That’s the way to dominate what is an inferior and injury-laden team.
From what I can tell, in terms of the playoffs, if the Pats loose the early game, then this game against Seattle is meaningless -whether we win or loose we will still have to beat Miami to win the division.
The Cards have already clinched the division and it looks like Boldin is out. Don’t see the Pats losing. Better just beat Seattle.
The Jet’s control there own destiny!!!! If they are a play off team then they should win there last 2……Don’t depend on other Team’s!!!!!
1ST OF AL J-E-T-S SUCKS SUCKS JUCKS ! SHOULD HAVE LOST TO THE BILLS JETS WON CAUSE THE’RE CLOWNS CALLING THAT GAME. JETS SPENT ALL THAT $$$$ AND IT DIDN’T COST THE FINS ANYTHING FINS REBUILDING THEY ARE BOTH 9-5 THE BRETS ARE MADE TO WIN NOW AND MAY NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS YRS. TO COME DOLFANS WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH. P.S. IF JETS DO GET IN IT’S ONE AND OUT . RIP
Blah blah blah. Go die in a fire. Side note: What kind of English is “J-E-T-S SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS!” This moron said “JUCKS,” but I’ve heard people say this before. Jets sucks?
There is a salary cap so actually all teams have spent the same money. If you can’t grasp that concept, then you lack the credibility to be taken seriously, “Chad”.