New York Jets: It Won't Be As Easy As Advertised

Right now, every analyst on sports networks is salivating over Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, as they should be. It has been quite some time since the Jets have had a quarterback of this talent level, if ever.. They’ve got an up-and-coming team with many young players who can easily be game-changers. There are rumors they’re in on Dalvin Cook. There’s a lot going on for the New York Jets. There’s plenty of reason for the hype.

But let’s not start planning the parade just yet. The Jets finally find themselves back in a tough division. They won’t be able to sneak their way into the playoffs. They’ll have to earn it. The AFC often turns away 10-win teams dashing their playoff hopes. Not to mention, it’s been 12 years since the New York Jets had their names stamped on the postseason. No other team has a longer drought currently than the Jets

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While it’s up to the Jets to get them there. Don’t exactly get your hopes up just because they’re saying it on television. How many years in a row were their division rival Miami Dolphins picked to be the team to beat that year? How many times do the guys on camera pick the Dallas Cowboys to go all the way? The hype train has gone through multiple cities after big pickups in the offseason. Every year these guys crown paper champs only for them to lose down the stretch.

Don’t take this personally, as fans you have every right to believe in the New York Jets. But be cautious with your expectations. This team should look the best they have in years, that we can’t deny. However, the AFC won’t be a walk in the park and until someone can consistently slow down those Kansas City Chiefs, the rest of the league needs to temper their expectations.

New York has one thing on their side that should ease the minds of fans and its the fact that every season most teams start off a little slow. Whether the Jets come out firing and win big, or they stumble out of the gate. They have a good opportunity to figure it out between weeks 3-5 where if they don’t get themselves into too much of a hole, they should be fine. 10-wins isn’t needed to make the playoffs but it sure would help. Plenty of teams go on win streaks to make it in. If the Jets can hold off a division rival or two early on, it’ll up their chances. But they can’t take too long or the whole conference will pass them by. If the New York Jets want to compete this season, they might have to teach an old dog new tricks.