Next Two Games Set Tone for 2013 New York Jets’ Season

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4-3, second in the AFC East. How about that? Did anyone expect the Jets to be here right now? Certainly not the “experts” around the country. I know a lot of us thought this was possible, but not the experts. Heck, everyone thought that the team would be in the situation the Giants are in right now. But here we are.

The Jets, for all of their rebuilding, are right in the playoff mix. Yes, it’s going to be tough, but they are in the fight for the sixth seed, as a lot of teams are. Not only that, but the Jets have a chance to be in it until the very end. A lot is going to be determined by the next two weeks, heading into the bye week.

Look at what the Jets have after the bye:at Buffaloat Baltimorevs. Miamivs. Oaklandat Carolinavs. Clevelandat Miami

Are any of these teams a guaranteed loss? I don’t think so. As of the printing of this post, none of the teams listed here are better than .500. But, I will be sporting, and give them a loss in Baltimore and in Carolina. That would have the Jets going 5-2 in their second half of the season. At 4-3 now, that would give them nine wins for the year, not including the next two games.

It’s no guarantee by any stretch that they will win five, but they certainly could. Look at the seasons that those teams have had so far. Every single team on that list after the bye week can be beaten. Geno and the rest of the offense is certainly improving. 5-2 in the home stretch is not out of the question.

So, the tone will be set over the next two weeks, first in Cincinnati, and next home for the New Orleans Saints. First up, the Bengals. They are playing better of late, and they are 5-2, but we have beaten them in their house before under coach Ryan, albeit with a different group of core players. Is beating this team impossible? Surely not.

And, the Saints. Many might say, how could the Jets beat Drew Brees and the Saints? Not going to happen! Well, wait just a minute. The Saints are very much not the same team on the road as they are at home. They only average 23 points per game on the road. The Jets average just over 20. Not such a big difference if you ask me. If you take out the stinker two weeks ago against the Steelers, the Jets average at home goes up to 25 points per game.

All of a sudden, it doesn’t look so tough, does it?

The point? Nine wins are not impossible. Neither is ten. The Jets can get it done, it is far from over. But it will start with the next two weeks. If they play well, maybe steal one of the two games, it will set the momentum up for a solid second half. If not, we know what could happen.

But the possibility, as Rex says, for this team to “do something special”, is there.