Can the New York Jets make the playoffs?

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If the season were to end tomorrow, the New York Jets would be in the playoffs. Yep, I'm not making that up. The Jets sit at 5-4, a half game ahead of Miami, and would get into the playoffs as a wild card. Right now, the Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs are atop the respective divisions and the Denver Broncos and the Jets hold the 2 wild cards. But can the Jets keep it up?

YES: I can't believe I'm saying this, but they might actually have a real shot at the 2nd wild card. Geno Smith actually makes them better and their defense is pretty good as well, not to mention they have a decent running game with Chris Ivory. Plus, they run a pretty tight ship and haven't shown any outward tension or locker room craziness like they did in years past. That honor in the AFC East belongs to the Miami Dolphins. The Jets are on the rise while Miami is destroying any hope they had at being real contenders in the AFC East.

NO: There are plenty of teams between a half a game and a game back of New York that could go by unnoticed, but would be ideally poised to take advantage if the Jets start to slip. The Cleveland Browns or Tennessee Titans, for instance. Cleveland sits in second place in the AFC North behind the Bengals at 4-5 and the Titans are 2nd place in the AFC South at 4-4. Both teams are well placed behind the Jets to take advantage should New York falter.

Verdict: The Jets will make the playoffs as the 2nd wild card behind Geno Smith, but they won't make it past the first round, which would presumably be New England or maybe Indy.

Twitter: @ConorJF1016