The Jets’ playoff chances are very much in doubt.
That is the consensus amongst the New York Jets faithful after having witnessed quite possibly the most embarrassing loss of the season in Sunday’s game against division rival Buffalo Bills. Both teams came into this game fighting for position in the division and attempting to stay afloat in their playoff chances. However, it would be a more talented Buffalo team that would end up leaving the Jets in the dust. This loss has left their playoff hopes very much in doubt.
Not only was the team blown out of the game with a 32-6 loss, but this game was the first this season to feature something controversial: a quarterback change. Zach Wilson has had a rollercoaster of a year. After stepping up unexpectedly to lead the offense after the devastating loss of Aaron Rodgers on opening night, he has had games where he looked to be turning his career around while also having others which made Jets fans question if he should be on the field.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been staunchly sticking behind his young quarterback this season, refusing to give up on Wilson. However, that seemed to change this Sunday as with 2:17 to go in the third quarter with the team down 23 points, Saleh made the call to put in 5th-year backup Tim Boyle on the field. The question now is if this signifies Saleh’s change in attitude towards Wilson and if Wilson has finally lost the support of the front office that he has had thus far this season.
With the timing of this loss being as devastating as it is, another question this poses is how this will affect the plans for Aaron Rodgers to return to the field. A big story since the injury has been the extremely speedy recovery of Rodgers, who has recently gone on the Pat MacAfee show and said that he expects to return sometime around Thanksgiving. Now with a winning season looking doubtful, it remains to be seen if it would be worth Rodgers coming back on the field at all this season. The timetable for his return had already been questionable due to the nature of his injury as well as his advanced age as a football player.
Many feel that Rodgers would simply be coming back too early after suffering an Achilles tear, especially at the age of 38. The loss to the Bills now puts even more doubt on his decision to take to the field again so soon. If he did come back on the timetable that he has been discussing, then many fear he would be risking his health again for nothing as no matter what happens the Jets more likely than not would fail to secure a postseason berth in the playoffs.
The Jets will play again this Friday night against division-rival Miami Dolphins.