Fansided

One reason every team can win Super Bowl 52

By John Buhler

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 32
Next
Dec 17, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) talks to Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) on the bench after Petty left the game against the Miami Dolphins with an injury during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) talks to Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) on the bench after Petty left the game against the Miami Dolphins with an injury during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Jets: maybe they’re only a quarterback away

It’s hard to figure out why the New Jets collapsed so catastrophically in 2016 after being a 10-6 football team the year before. Was it the quarterback, the head coach, ownership or a combination of all three?

Probably the latter. Ryan Fitzpatrick lost his magic, Geno Smith got hurt and neither Bryce Petty nor Christian Hackenberg was ready to play. Todd Bowles had his issues on the sidelines, and we all know about the dysfunction in the front office.

The Jets are a ways away from being serious Super Bowl contenders, but it feels almost all mental. They have talent at all levels of the organization, but don’t seem to work well in unison. The biggest difference-maker for the 2015 Jets was the biggest bust for the 2016 team: Fitzpatrick at quarterback.

Fitzpatrick had a career year in 2015. Should the Jets get a near-Pro-Bowl-caliber year from whoever plays under center in 2017, they can get to the AFC Playoffs and make a serious run at a Super Bowl. The Jets could have another disaster of a football season in 2017, but they could also be only a strong starting quarterback away from contention.

Home/Super Bowl