Before the common season started, extensive receiver Braxton Berrios mentioned on the Rich Eisen Show that if the Jets didn’t make the playoffs, he would contemplate it “a failed season.”
What are Berrios’ ideas now, midway by the 12 months?
“I got crazy looks when I said at the beginning of the year that we play this game for the playoffs, period,” Berrios mentioned on Monday. “That sentiment hasn’t modified. It was from Day 1 with this new employees coming in.
“We received a protracted strategy to go. We clearly set ourselves up in an amazing spot by these first 9 video games.
“We have this back half and we all know December football and January football, that’s what really matters. We feel great about it, but it’s one week at a time and we have to focus on this opponent right ahead.”
While many joked about Berrios’ ideas again in July, nobody is laughing anymore. With eight video games remaining within the season, the Jets are 6-3 and are a half-game out of first place within the AFC East after the Bills misplaced to the Vikings on Sunday and the division-leading Dolphins having a bye week developing.
With a win Sunday in opposition to the Patriots, Gang Green would have sole possession of first place within the division. The Jets haven’t gained an AFC East divisional crown since 2002 and have simply 4 in franchise historical past (est. 1960). Gang Green at present has the longest playoff drought within the NFL, because it hasn’t performed within the postseason since 2010.
Coming into Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Patriots, the Jets sit fifth within the AFC, with the Bills at No. 6 and the Patriots at No. 7. Right now, all 4 groups within the AFC East at present have a profitable file.
“That’s a special feeling,” Jets heart Connor McGovern mentioned in regards to the group probably being in first place after Sunday’s upcoming recreation in opposition to the Patriots. “I haven’t had the chance in my profession to ever be in that place to be first within the division.
“It’s an important game as they’re obviously all important. Division games are worth two essentially and this one is extremely big to be able to take the lead.”
Following a 1-2 file to start out the season, the Jets have gained 5 of their final six video games because the return of Zach Wilson after injuring his meniscus in the course of the preseason. Although Wilson’s stats (1,202 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) don’t precisely stand out, the Jets protection and particular groups have performed a big position within the group’s current success.
The one recreation the Jets couldn’t win since Wilson’s return was the 22-17 Oct. 30 house loss in opposition to the Patriots. In that recreation, Wilson accomplished 20 of 41 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns, however he additionally had three interceptions, which translated into 10 New England factors.
The Jets led the sport 10-6 at halftime, however they have been outscored 16-7 within the second half. Gang Green additionally solely rushed for 51 yards, which is lower than half of what the group at present averages [116.0].
New England has defeated New York 13 consecutive occasions courting again to 2015. After the sport, Jets gamers felt like they let the sport in opposition to the Patriots slip away and mentioned they have been wanting ahead to the rematch. Three weeks later, Gang Green relishes the problem of ending its dreaded dropping streak to the Patriots.
“They’re a great team,” Berrios mentioned in regards to the Patriots. “One of the primary stuff you be taught within the NFL is earlier than you win, you must maintain from dropping.
“That was a recreation the place they took benefit of each alternative that we gave to them. They’re a well-coached group and so they’re going to win these video games once we make these errors. It comes again to us and executing our stuff after which possibly it’s a distinct recreation.
“You look at our division, Miami, us, Buffalo and New England, all winning records, all really, really good teams. Obviously, division games account for a little bit more than out-of-division games. You gotta take care of your division first and we have them and we gotta go to Foxborough and we gotta try and put something together.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com