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New York Jets playoff scenarios following Week 15

By Jonathan Bass

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Looking at how the New York Jets can make it into the playoffs.

The New York Jets did their part in Week 15 by coming back and beating the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. It wasn’t pretty, but hey, the Jets got the job done and officially secured their first winning record in half a decade.

Unfortunately for Gang Green, they were screwed by the AFC West. Heading into Week 15, New York either needed a loss by the Chiefs or Steelers to really feel good and hold the high ground in the postseason race. Well, Kansas City easily disposed of the Baltimore Ravens, while Pittsburgh pulled out a victory over shaky West leader Denver. It wasn’t a worst-case scenario for the Jets, but 66% of what they wanted to happen went against them.

With all that in the past, here’s how the Jets can make the AFC Playoffs. First off, they need to win at least one of their final two games – given that it’s the Patriots and Bills on the docket, a split appears to be the most likely option. Should they lose both games, it’s still a warm 9-7 season only with no after party.

From there it gets tricky. Here’s what the outlook is for New York.

Win only one game down the stretch (finish 10-6), and any of the following chips have to fall:

  • Broncos lose both of their final two games
  • Chiefs lose both of their final two games
  • Steelers lose both of their final two games

Win both games (finish 11-5), and any of the following scenarios puts New York in the postseason:

  • Broncos lose one of their final two games
  • Chiefs lose one of their final two games
  • Steelers lose one of their final two games

Basically, finish 11-5 and the odds are very good.

When it all comes down, the Jets own a tiebreaker over the Broncos due to having a better record against AFC opponents. However, they lose out on tiebreakers to the Chiefs and Steelers on account of holding a worse conference record and record against common opponents, respectively.

In sum: The Jets are now looking to win both games and really put the pressure on their running mates. They’re also rooting for Kansas City to take the AFC West, because it would push Denver down – the one team of the group whom New York owns a tiebreaker over.

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