Jets fans have been taking their share of lumps for too long.
You have seen many defeats. They (understandably) complained and grumbled about the loss. And they were amused because of their constant frustration.
However, Jets fans didn’t really ask for much. They didn’t claim a Super Bowl title. They haven’t even adopted a playoffs-or-bust stance.
Really, there’s one thing Jets fans have been looking for for the past decade — since they were last in the playoffs.
Relevance.
Being relevant during the season, not the offseason when they were either looking for a new head coach or general manager or entered the draft with one of the first picks in the first round.
Well, the jets are relevant again. Relevant in the season.
As they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Packers at Lambeau Field, the Jets are 3-2 after winning three of their last four games. Only the Bills and Chiefs, both 4-1, currently have better records than the Jets in the AFC.
And this for the dreamers: If the regular season ended today, the Jets would be the fifth seed in the AFC and are preparing for a playoff game — their first postseason game since the 2010 season.
Of course, five games doesn’t make a season. And certainly, given the excessive amount of scar tissue that has built up over the years, many Jets fans remain nervous and fear that promising 3-2 start is a potential nuisance for another disappointing 6-11 or 5-12 -End of season could be end.
Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Dolphins.Bill Kostroun
Jets fans are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I don’t see that as the fate of the Jets this season.
I believe the Jets will remain relevant and in talks for a possible playoff berth well into December because they are a much more talented team than their teams who are 4-13, 2-14, 7-9, 4- 12, 5 went -11 and 5-11 in the last six seasons.
Those previous Jets loser teams didn’t have the defensive differences this team does, including a deep defensive line that found its stride in Sunday’s 40-17 win over the Dolphins.
Quinnen Williams, who plays consistently well, was under pressure six times in the game. Edge rusher Carl Lawson appears to be on the mend after last year’s Achilles surgery. Against the Dolphins, he produced eight quarterback pressures and seven quarterback hits, including a strip sack. One of the unheralded players on the line, John Franklin-Myers, had seven pressings and five hits, including the game where he hit Miami quarterback Skylar Thompson’s arm on a pass intercepted by rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Gardner has managed a completely revamped secondary school after allowing just five receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in his first five NFL games alongside fellow cornerback DJ Reed, a veteran who was just as tight on opposing receivers.
These flawed Jets teams didn’t have the offensive playmakers that this team has with rookie receiver Garrett Wilson (23 catches for 282 yards and two TDs) and rookie running back Breece Hall (488 yards from scrimmage).
There is indeed a lot to get excited about with this Jets team.
Head coach Robert Saleh’s job, however, is to make sure his young players don’t fall into the trap of having arrived. Because there is still a long way to go to stay relevant for this group.
Jets coach Robert Saleh.Bill Kostroun
The Jets have given their fans reason to be hopeful. Duncan Williams/Cal Sport Media/
“We won three out of 17 games,” said Saleh. “We still have a long way to go to establish ourselves as a team that can do… anything. If you want to be a great team, winning is you put it on the back shelf and just keep going. We have a big one with Green Bay and we’re going to have a big one next week and another big one after that.
“The ability to split or push, enjoy victory until noon [Monday] and then head straight to Green Bay to take care of your body and prepare as you need it. That’s what championship teams do. We have a long way to go. You have to create consistency.
“It’s great that we’ve been able to make the start that we have, but at the same time it doesn’t mean anything because everything starts over every week.”
This Jets team has wowed its fan base. I have a friend who takes his daughter to every Jets home game, and he texted me after the win over the Dolphins and said, “I’m staying for the fourth quarter now.”