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3 reasons why the New York Jets are playoff bound

By Jonathan Reichenberger

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JUNE 05: Head coach Adam Gase of the New York Jets speaks with the media before day two of mandatory minicamp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 5, 2019 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JUNE 05: Head coach Adam Gase of the New York Jets speaks with the media before day two of mandatory minicamp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 5, 2019 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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FLORHAM PARK, NJ – JULY 29: New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during New York Jets Training Camp on July 29, 2019 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Facility in Florham Park, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – JULY 29: New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during New York Jets Training Camp on July 29, 2019 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Facility in Florham Park, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. The Growth of Sam Darnold

The Jets are in the hands of Sam Darnold. The 22-year-old quarterback officially has the mental strength to push through the immense pressure and pull off a dominating win, something he proved in his first career start. In Week 1 of last year, Darnold threw a pick-six against the Detroit Lions on his first pass, only to rebound and win.

Even though Darnold only won four games last year, he showed potential to be a star. His ability to move about the pocket and still complete passes is one of his greatest attributes as he progresses into his second season.

Last year, Darnold didn’t have many weapons to work. In fact, the only real threat was Robby Anderson. Now that the Jets have added Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder to the offense, it gives Darnold many options to spread the ball around with.Rather than having the opposing team’s defense complete channel their focus on him, teams will now have to worry about the huge threat that Bell provides.

While having more offensive weapons will improve Darnold’s game, he also has a head coach that can help groom him into a complete quarterback. Gase might have failed to do that with Tannehill in Miami, but he has been known to help quarterbacks perform at a high level. Peyton Manning in Denver and Jay Cutler when he was in Chicago, not in Miami. With these two working side by side, Gase should help Darnold grow into the franchise quarterback that the Jets organization has been craving for.

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