Jets are a lock to run out of miracles and fall short of playoff berth

Jets are a lock to run out of miracles and fall short of playoff berth
December 16
New York Daily News columnist Tim Smith
"The Jets' playoff hopes have come down to the last two weeks of the season. Because of the failings against Denver and San Francisco, they now face their two worst nightmares.

They travel to Seattle for a must-win against the Seahawks on Sunday. The Jets are 0-3 on the West Coast and their losses at Oakland and San Francisco were of the senseless variety. Then they come home for the season finale in a doomsday showdown with ex-Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and Miami.

The Jets won't make it through this two-game stretch. There is nothing in their last three games to indicate they are equipped to handle the pressure and sustain the level of play necessary to win those two games. When I think about the Jets' upcoming two weeks, it invokes that same queasy feeling once associated with not having studied for an algebra test. You knew you were going to fail unless there was a miracle. And it never came.

After being 8-3, guard Damien Woody doesn't want to think about not making the playoffs.

"I can't even fathom thinking like that," Woody said Monday. "We're still in control of our situation. If we just take care of our business then we'll be right where we want to be, which is in the playoffs."

When you're in the bunker you have to think like Woody and his teammates. If not for a crazy bounce against the Bills that led to Shaun Ellis scoring the game-winner late on Sunday, the Jets would have dropped off the pace in the AFC East. They remain in a three-way tie with New England and Miami for the lead. If you're the Patriots or the Dolphins, you have to feel better about your chances of winning the division than the Jets - particularly looking at the way the teams are playing.

The Dolphins have won seven of their last eight and their defense is revved up with the re-emergence of linebacker Joey Porter. The Patriots have won three of four, piling up 121 points in the three victories. After New England beat Oakland on Sunday, Patriots running back Sammy Morris said New England is approaching every game like a playoff game. That's the way to look at things.

The Jets were still giddy Monday over the stunning way they popped the Bills. Before and after the game, Eric Mangini channeled his inner Al Davis and preached his own version of "Just Win, Baby!""
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