J E T S JETS JETS JETS JETS!

So Jet fans at this point in the season are in a place few could have conceived of, in the running for a playoff spot. You read that right, the 6-5 Jets, who went 4-12 last year, let the head coach go, along with most of his staff and the GM, are in the midst of the playoff race. This on top of the Mets making the playoffs this season is making me quite the happy fan right now. Of course, the optimism must be tempered, as it will be a struggle for them to actually make it.

The remaining games schedule favors the Jets, as they do not play a team that is presently at 500 for the rest of the year. Green Bay is the opponent this week, followed by:
Home vs Buffalo
At Minnesota
At Miami
Home vs Oakland (you mean the Jets don't have to fly to Oakland this year? Who paid off the schedule maker?)

Each of these games has the potential to be a trap game. Buffalo ALWAYS runs well against the Jets (though J.P. Losman is not scaring anyone on the Jets Defense). Minnesota has had a good year defensively, having the 4th ranked NFC defense, allowing a TOTAL of 623 rushing yards. That defense Vs Jets means Chad better be ready to throw 40 passes. Miami is always a tough game, and Harrington has played well of late. Oakland, while little more than a college team at this point, always plays the Jets tough.

Now, some say the Jets need to win 4 of 5, leaving them 10-6. Right now, the Patriots, Ravens, Colts and Chargers are leading their divisions, leaving 2 wild cards. The Bengals are 7-5, Chiefs are 7-4 (though their coach is Herm, so they are bound to blow a game due to clock management at some point) as are the Broncos (though with Jay Cutler the QB, they may be raising the flag). The Jets are tied with Jacksonville, who owns the edge in tie-breakers.

So what does the above mean? Well, basically, for the Jets to have a great shot, they need to win out. One loss could keep them out. Now, a 10-6 season is nothing to sneeze at, coming off last season, and all the changes coming into this year, but, the goal is the playoffs (despite Mangini not allowing the word to be spoken). Anything less than that, given where they are now, would be a letdown. It's been hard this year to not be overly optimistic. The early wins, the hard fought losses to the Pat's and Colts, the big win against the Pat's in the second game, have allowed fans to dream a little. And you gotta think that the players, and Mangini himself, would love nothing better than to make the playoffs and show everyone how wrong they were. How great would it be for Mangini to make the playoffs his first season, after Belichicken told him this was a sure fire loser? And then, to maybe have a chance to play the Pat's in the first round?

So, despite my misgivings, and the past record of dissapointment, I'm fully on the "Playoffs or Bust" side. I want this team to make it. I want the youngsters to know what it feels like to play in January. I want Chad to have the shot. I want Mangini to have a chance. I want the fans to be at full throat in the bars, family rooms, and wherever else. I want to see Coles and Cotchery catching passes in a playoff game. I want Vilma to be all over the field, and have everyone see what he can do. The same for Kerry Rhodes.

What I want for Christmas is a Jets playoff berth. Can I have it Santa? Please?