NY Jets: 10 bold, optimistic predictions for the 2021 season

10. The NY Jets win the AFC East

Put your pitchforks down. They wouldn't be hot takes if they weren't far reaching, now would they?

Ignoring this upcoming season, the AFC East seems to be on track to becoming the best division in football if everything works out as planned.

Josh Allen turned heads in Buffalo last season, becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league. If Tua Tagovailoa can take the next step in his development, the Dolphins are a playoff team as well.

The release of Cam Newton opened the door for fellow 2021 first-rounder Mac Jones to take the helm as the next quarterback in New England, a team that can never be counted out with Bill Belichick still in Foxborough.

But every team has a weakness that can be exploited. The Buccaneers proved that in the Super Bowl last season when they dismantled the thought-to-be unbeatable Chiefs by constantly pressuring Patrick Mahomes.

The Bills, Patriots, and Dolphins all have weaknesses, and if the Jets can take advantage, they could be competing for the AFC East crown.

Don't get me wrong. A lot would have to go right for the Jets, and a lot would have to go wrong for everybody else in the division. This is a longshot, but it isn't impossible. This can happen if some, if not most of the predictions on this list come true for the upcoming season.

A stellar rookie year for Zach Wilson with elite protection and production from his fellow offense. Saleh getting the absolute best out of his defense.

The team meshing and managing to outplay their opponents and finishing off games when they have the chance. The dominos would all have to fall perfectly, but they've done so before.

It's a new era in New York. With the start of the season just around the corner, this could be the most optimistic Jets fans have been in years.