Fansided

One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Jets (10-6)

You landed the best new head coach, and you are clearly the most dangerous non-playoff team for 2016.

The focus for the Jets entering into 2015 was their strength: defense. Success would not be a question of whether the Jets have talent on that side of the ball – on top of their stellar defensive line of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison (as well as rookie Leonard Williams), the Jets were able to reunite with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in the secondary. No, success would depend on how that talent would form a cohesive unit under new coach Todd Bowles.

The turnaround was immediately obvious. One of the primary things that Bowles instilled was a sense of discipline. In 2014, the Jets as a team committed 932 yards due to penalties. In 2015, that number went down to 787. Bowles was able to maintain the team’s defensive intensity; the team went from the 24th to the 9th ranked scoring defense in the league, and the Jets sported the second ranked rush defense that gave up a league low four rushing touchdowns.

The defense provided the Jets with the foundaton of their success, and the improvement of the offense provided a boost to the Jets record throughout the year. Chris Ivory emerged as one of the few true workhorse running backs in the league, while Brandon Marshall appeared to be the bargain of the offseason at reciever, finishing with 109 receptions and 1,502 yards as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite target.

The Jets’ outlook in 2016 looks bright. The main question heading into 2016 is surrounding the quarterback situation. Do the Jets stay with the low floor/ceiling Fitzpatrick, or do they give Geno Smith another chance with a revamped offense? Or do they go with Bryce Petty? Regardless, the Jets have built a playoff caliber team much quicker than expected, and they should compete in the postseason in 2016.

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