NY Jets: Updated NFL Playoff scenarios

The NY Jets now control their destiny entering their season finale against the Buffalo Bills. Take a look at the update scenarios for the Jets and their NFL Playoff hopes.

After last Sunday’s huge win over the Patriots and the Steelers’ stunning loss to the Ravens, the Jets currently sit in the 6th spot in the AFC playoff picture. On top of that, the Chiefs’ 17-13 win over the Browns and the Broncos’ overtime victory vs the Bengals clinches both AFC West teams a spot the postseason.

Although, the two are still fighting over the division crown. With just one week left in the 2015 regular season, a lot can shake up, so let’s break it all down for you.

For New York to miss the playoffs

Jets: loss at BUF to fall to 10-6

Steelers: win at CLE to get to 10-6

With a win for 9-6 Pittsburgh being very likely, the Jets will most likely miss the playoffs if they fall to Rex Ryan’s Bills. If both teams finish 10-6, they finish with the same conference record (7-5), but the next tiebreaker goes to the higher win percentage in common games which is owned by the Steelers. Nonetheless, a win on Sunday is all New York needs.

For New York to earn the 6th seed

Jets: win at BUF to get to 11-5

Chiefs: win vs. OAK to get to 11-5

Broncos: win vs. SD to get to 12-4

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) pulls in pass reception during overtime to setup winning touchdown as he is defended by New England Patriots cornerback Duron Harmon (30) at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

This scenario is very possible given the opponents of all three of these teams (all three SHOULD win). Denver would earn the second seed assuming current #1 New England handles Miami, #3 Cincinnati would host #6 New York, and #4 Houston/Indianapolis would take on 5th seeded Chiefs. The Jets can of course earn the 6th seed at 10-6 as well if the Steelers fall on their face against the Browns.

For New York to earn the 5th seed

Jets: win at BUF to get to 11-5

Chiefs: loss vs. Oakland to fall to 10-6

OR

Jets: win at BUF to get to 11-5

Chiefs: win vs. OAK to get to 11-5

Broncos: loss vs. SD to fall to 11-5

In the first scenario, the Jets and Chiefs would simply swap wild card spots.

In the second scenario, Kansas City would win the AFC West and Denver would fall to the sixth seed. Gang Green holds a tiebreaker over the Broncos with a better conference record, so they’d move up to fifth in the standings in that case. If the Bengals were to lose at home to Baltimore, they’d still earn the second seed as long as the Chiefs beat Oakland to win the division (if Denver were to lose to San Diego). Kansas City and Denver would play each other while the Jets would travel to Houston/Indianapolis.

More jets: Patriots give belated Christmas gift to Gang Green

Overall, the Jets will most likely end up with the sixth seed and play the Bengals. The Patriots are already locked in with a first-round bye and all the Broncos have to do is beat the Chargers to earn themselves one as well. Cincinnati is without starting quarterback Andy Dalton at the moment, so this scenario can play out perfectly for New York as long as they beat the Bills.

If the Chiefs happen to fall to the Raiders, the Jets would most likely face a Houston team that they were humiliated by in November. However, Gang Green has molded into a completely different team since then, making that matchup favorable also.