Things have looked bleak for beleaguered Jets fans for most of the past decade, as the team has only managed to string together one winning season (11-5 in 2015) over the past eight years. To make matters even worse, they have also finished dead last in the AFC East for three consecutive years, winning no more than five games in a single season over that span. However, the tide finally appears to be turning for Sam Darnold and Co. after a series of stellar offseason acquisitions has potentially paved the way for a dramatic resurgence in 2019-20.
The biggest reason why the New York Jets odds to make the playoffs this year have shifted so much since early 2019 is clearly the addition of workhouse RB Le’Veon Bell. Vegas currently has the Jets listed at +280 to make the postseason, which leaves them as definitive favorites over both the Buffalo Bills (+410) and Miami Dolphins (+790) despite finishing below both teams in the AFC East standings last year. Bell should instantly add an extra dimension to an anemic Jets rushing offense that managed to average just 101.4 yards per game on the ground (26th overall) in 2018-19.
With a running game that is almost certainly going to be drastically improved, the receiving duo of Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa should benefit immensely as opponents will be forced to adjust their defensive schemes in order to attempt to contain Bell. The addition of Jamison Crowder should also help to boost the Jets offense, as the veteran slot receiver racked up almost 400 yards receiving and two touchdowns in only nine games with Washington last year. Almost all of the New York Jets betting markets are predicting a rebound year for the green and white, as the current season win total over/under line sits at 7.5 – the highest that total has been since 2015.
On the other side of the ball, LB C.J. Mosley and DE Quinnen Williams look poised to lead a Jets defense that struggled badly against the run in 2018-19. Williams was selected 3rd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft after an outstanding NCAA career with the Alabama Crimson Tide where he won both the College Football National Playoff Championship over Georgia and the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman. He should certainly help shore up a leaky defensive line that allowed opponents to average 126.3 rushing yards per game last season.
There is little doubt that the New England Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, which means the Jets will likely still find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. Even so, there is little doubt that this team is finally heading in the right direction and could sneak into a wildcard position by the end of December. Recently hired GM Joe Douglas already helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl Championship just one year removed from finishing in the basement of the NFC East, so if Darnold can finally turn the corner on his development as a starting quarterback, the sky’s the limit for the Jets.
