Fansided

5 potential sleepers in the NFL playoffs

By Ian O'Brien

Dec 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks with head coach Pete Carroll during a first quarter injury timeout against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks with head coach Pete Carroll during a first quarter injury timeout against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) being interviewed after game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) being interviewed after game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

4. New York Jets

The Jets have not clinched the playoffs yet, but they are on track to make it as long as they win their Week 17 match against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills will not make it easy for the Jets though, and head coach Rex Ryan will not back down from an opportunity to crush his old team’s playoff hopes. The Jets have already won 10 games, but the Pittsburgh Steelers would clinch a wild-card berth if they win and the Jets lose. The Jets will not be easy to beat if they sneak into the playoffs though, as the Patriots just learned.

The hiring of head coach Todd Bowles and Ryan Fitzpatrick becoming the starting quarterback has paid dividends for the Jets. Rex Ryan’s departure has not stopped the Jets from running the ball, as Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell have combined to form a balanced rushing offense. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall has also added a new dimension to the Jets offense while the team ranks seventh in scoring defense with 19.5 points allowed per game.

If the Jets can win a first-round matchup, there is a great chance that they would play the Patriots again. The Jets have consistently been one of the toughest teams for the Patriots to beat, and a playoff upset has happened before.

Next: 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

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