NFL playoffs: How your team can make it
player. 30. . AFC. East. New York Jets. 2
After one of the worst seasons in franchise history in 2014, there is plenty for New York Jets fans to be excited about heading into 2015. Owner Woody Johnson fired both general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan, replacing the unformidable duo with Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles. Bowles was one of the prized assistants this offseason, coming over from the Arizona Cardinals after being their defensive coordinator.
Maccagnan was extremely active in the offseason, starting everything off with a pair of trades that netted receiver Brandon Marshall and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Marshall will team with Eric Decker to give either Fitzpatrick or incumbent starter Geno Smith a pair of terrific targets on the outside, while Chris Ivory gives solid punch to the running game.
The free-agency period also saw the Jets get involved with the signing of three cornerbacks, led by the incomparable Darrelle Revis. After two years away with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, Revis is abck where it all began. Speaking of a reunion, New York also signed Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, giving the Jets one of the best secondaries in the game.
If Fitzpatrick can win the job, all he has to do is stay out of the way. New York figures to have a solid running game and the defense should be a top-10 unit. With a stellar secondary and a defensive line featuring Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and first-round pick Leonard Williams, the Jets have talent to burn. The AFC East is one of the toughest divisions in football, but New York can earn a playoff berth if the quarterback play simply doesn’t take it down.
Next: Miami Dolphins