NY Jets: FanSided predicts a last-place finish for Gang Green

The NY Jets seem to have universally low expectations going into the 2020 season and FanSided’s season projections have the team finishing at the bottom of the AFC East standings.

The NY Jets won’t have to do much to exceed expectations in 2020. At least, that’s what it seems like with nearly every projection having the team finish towards the bottom of the AFC.

In fact, recent season projections released by Matt Verderame of FanSided.com have the Jets finishing with a measly 5-11 record tied with the Miami Dolphins for last place in the AFC East.

After finishing 7-9 last season, a five-win season would certainly be a disappointment. But at the same time, is it really all too unrealistic?

The Jets seem to have improved their roster in the offseason, but this team is still very much a work in progress. And in reality, the glaring holes on the roster may not be able to be overcome.

General manager Joe Douglas has done a good job of setting the organization up for future success. But it remains to be seen just how soon that “future” will be.

Verderame’s projections have the Jets beginning the season with an atrocious 1-8 record before going on a 4-3 run to close the year — very similar to how the season progressed last season.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
• NY Jets: 3 non-quarterback trade targets on offense
• NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year
• NY Jets: Patriots will not use the franchise tag on Joe Thuney

However, that one victory might shock many people. Incredibly, Verderame has the Jets pulling off a stunner in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers where he has Gang Green defeating their adversaries in a tight 25-24 contest.

That would certainly be unexpected.

But after that unlikely victory, the Jets won’t win another game until Week 10 where they managed to defeat the Miami Dolphins. In fact, they come back after the bye week and do the exact same pulling to 3-8 on the season after consecutive defeats of their division rivals.

The Jets then pull off their third victory in a row defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13 before falling to the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams on the road. They then score a victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 before closing the year with a loss to the New England Patriots.

A 5-11 finish, but another case of a late-season run that ultimately prove meaningless. What would that mean for Adam Gase’s job security? What would it mean for Sam Darnold‘s status?

Obviously, so much of it depends on how the team plays. But it’s fair to wonder if Gase would ultimately be let go after a disappointing season like this.

A 5-11 record might seem disrespectful to many, but consider that the Jets are only favored in three games this season as of right now. This is a fair prediction — and honestly the only shocker is the Week 2 victory over the 49ers.

The Jets will enter 2020 with significantly lower expectations than last season. But maybe, that’s what the team needs to finally catapult them back into playoff contention.