When the New York Jets selected quarterback Geno Smith out of West Virginia University, he boldly claimed the Jets would make the playoffs come January. Many analysts and pundits said this was a ridiculous claim. The Jets were the laughingstock of the NFL and considered a circus. ESPN even ranked the Jets 32nd in the league.
The Jets were supposed to be devoid of talent throughout their roster. Mark Sanchez was supposed to burn out. Geno Smith’s rookie mistakes were supposed to follow Sanchez’s legacy. Head coach Rex Ryan was supposed to be the sacrificial lamb for the lame duck season.
But going into the Week 10 bye, the Jets are over the .500 mark with a 5-4 record. Now, Smith’s bold claim should be taken seriously. If the season ended now, the Jets would have the sixth seed in the American Football Conference. Luck did not bring the Jets to their current position — they’ve earned it.
The Jet’s defense has stood out among other teams. Anchored by third-year professional Muhammad Wilkerson and accompanied by second-year professional Damon “Snacks” Harrison and rookie Sheldon Richardson, the Jets have made every team one-dimensional by shutting down the running game of players like Doug Martin, C.J. Spiller and Chris Johnson. The slow, aging linebacker core has been replaced with fast, athletic linebackers, such as second-year professionals Demario Davis and Quinton Coples.
While the Jets have always had a stout defense under Ryan, their offense sets them apart from past Jets teams. Under offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, the team has been effective in running the ball with both Bilal Powell and newcomer Chris Ivory. The running game is especially important as it opens up the field for rookie signal caller Smith.
This bodes well for the Jets because they have the tendency to do as well as their quarterback. By not placing the entire burden of the offense on Smith’s shoulders, the Jets hav found success, only calling upon him when they need a big play. By leading four game-winning drives in his young career, Smith is showing he carries a quality every franchise desires and all opponents dread — being clutch. This factor should bode well in ensuring the Jets make the playoffs.
Not only has the Jets’ performance skyrocketed, but their remaining opponents haven’t been playing well. Of their seven remaining games, only one team, the North Carolina Panthers, has a winning record. Although those games won’t be easy, it gives the Jets the best chance to keep winning.
The Jets should be considered for a playoff spot because of Ryan’s superb coaching. After two straight years of suspect coaching, he has returned his focus to coaching the defense, and the results are showing. What’s more, Mornhinweg is a competent offensive coordinator who understands how to run the line effectively.
Although many would call the Jet’s season a success, the ultimate goal should be to qualify for the playoffs. The Jets are playing great football, and they should all the way to January.
A version of this article appeared the Thursday, Nov. 14 print edition. Ferenc Puskas is a contributing writer. Email him at [email protected].
