Coming off an easy win against the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the New York Jets got the day off Monday as they moved to 7-6 with a three-game win streak and back into the thick of the NFL playoff picture.

While beating a bad Tampa Bay club is nothing to brag about, the Jets could find themselves with a realistic shot at the playoffs with some help in Week 15.

While tied with Miami for second, the Patriots (8-5) are having internal issues and are just a game ahead. The Patriots have a difficult contest on the road against divisional rival Buffalo (5-8) at Ralph Wilson. The Patriots did not look good in a victory over Carolina (5-8) and this is not the same Patriot team of playoffs past.

The Jets could catch a break Thursday night depending upon how serious the Colts take the Jaguars who are currently in the playoffs as the second Wildcard.

Having clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs, it looks like going undefeated is not a priority for the Colts (13-0) as rumors already abound that Peyton Manning will only play the first half. Should the Colts defeat Jacksonville, the Jets would move ahead of the Jaguars with a win at home against the Atlanta Falcons who fell to 6-7 and are just 1-5 on the road.

But all this playoff talk is just hot air if rookie Mark Sanchez can't go come Sunday.

While Kellen Clemens threw no interceptions and didn't turnover the ball, he looked bad against a terrible Buccaneer team.

The Jets limited the playbook and made the smart move of expanding Brad Smith's role in the offense with the successful punt fake to extend a drive. Clemens red zone play was poor as the Jets drive after drive had to settle for field goals versus touchdowns.

But the only real question is the injury status of Mark Sanchez.

It's been 11 days since the knee injury and Jet management has been awfully quiet about his status and ability to start this Sunday against the Falcons in the Meadowlands.

Arguably the biggest game of his young career if he plays, are the Jets content to roll the dice and hope that Kellen Clemens can get it done in the friendly confines of Giants Stadium?

Are the Jets going to reveal his actual status, or are the Jets taking a wait-and-see approach until after the Jaguar-Colt game come Thursday night to announce who will play against the Falcons?

But a Jaguar win would really complicate a potential Jet playoff berth.

At 8-6, the Jets lose the tie breaker and unless the Ravens and Dolphins both lose come Sunday, the Jets will still be on the outside looking in at 8-6.

The Bears (5-8) will be traveling to Baltimore and you have to believe the Ravens (7-6) will win at home and get to 8-6. The Dolphins travel to Tennesse where the Titans can be tough. With faint playoff hopes still possible, expect the Titans to give Miami (7-6) all they can handle.

But how committed are the Jets to getting into the playoffs?

Obviously no one wants to jeopardize the long-term health of Mark Sanchez for a possible one and out playoff scenario, will Kellen Clemens get the call at home and give Sanchez another week to heal up if it's just a sprain versus a tear?

If the Jets qualify for the playoffs, no one will be brought in at quarterback to make it happen.

But the Jets haven't looked this good in December since the 2006 playoff run in which they entered December 6-5 and finished 10-6. Thomas Jones is arguably the best back in the AFC when it matters most and the Jet secondary is becoming an elite unit led by Darrelle Revis, who looks like the best cover guy for Gang Green since the days of James Hasty!

While making the playoffs is always the goal, it seems to me we've seen the last of Mark Sanchez unless the Jets are absolutely going to qualify for the playoffs come January of 2010.

For if the Jets are going to make the post season, that weight has been shifted to the shoulders of Kellen Clemens, for better or for worse!