The New York Jets Can, Somehow, Enter Sunday’s Game With Control Of Their Own Destiny

Mike White's Big Day For The Jets Has Fans Done With Zach Wilson

Getty Image / Sarah Stier


The New York Jets, after a promising October through November run that saw them flirt with playoff contention for the first time in a decade, have flamed out marvelously in December and now sit at 7-8.

And yet, despite this gloriously predictable last-season collapse, the Jets — who went 0-4 in December — can, somehow, someway, head into Sunday’s game 4:05 p.m. EST against Seattle Seahawks with control of their destiny in their own hands.

After getting some results in their favor last weekend (namely, the Patriots and Dolphins both lost), the 7-8 Jets — who will see quarterback Mike White return to the starting line-up this weekend after missing two games with injury — will control their own destiny if the Miami Dolphins beat the Patriots on Sunday.

If the Dolphins beat the Pats, the Jets will know the result they need to get into the playoffs: beat the Seahawks — who are quarterbacked by Geno Smith, a player they drafted — in Week 17 and the Miami Dolphins in Week 18, and they’re in.

“Like I’ve said all week, it’s not about the playoffs. It’s about getting up off the mat,” head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Friday. “We had a rough December. Luckily, we get a new month. We take a deep breath, get off the mat and get ready to fight.”

“We’ve made really, really nice strides this year,” he said. “We’d love to finish it. Obviously, we have to take care of this one. We definitely feel like we’re going in the right direction.” [via ESPN]

Getting White back is key for the Jets, who’ve looked completely inept on offense since Zach Wilson returned to the starting line-up. Wilson — the #2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — was so bad in his recent starts that he likely sealed his fate with the Jets, who once again demoted him to third-string for these final two games.

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