It's been almost two weeks since the Dec. 3 injury that has Mark Sanchez on the shelf with no word from the New York Jets as to whether or not we'll see the struggling rookie again in 2009.

With a second injury to another knee, Jet management has been quiet and mum as to his availability this Sunday against the 6-7 Atlanta Falcons that could move the Jets to 8-6 and stay in the playoff mix for another week.

The playoff picture will clarify itself somewhat on Thursday night should the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6) take advantage of the Colts (13-0) playoff status that has them as the No. 1 seed for the AFC tournament. Should the Jaguars get to 8-6 with two games to go, the Jets will need to run the table at 10-6 with no guarantee that will qualify them for the postseason regardless!

For a team with a great secondary led by Darrelle Revis and a monster running game with Thomas Jones, why are the Jets struggling to get in the playoffs? This has been the best December for the Jets since 2006 when they entered the month 6-5 to finish 10-6 and qualify as an AFC Wild Card.

So the talk seems to be that the Jets are going "all-in" on Kellen Clemens if the playoffs are in fact in the cards for Gang Green.

It seems ownership is not going to expose Sanchez to a possible career-threatening injury should he need to wear two braces to play come Sunday. Some say the Jets have no interest in putting Sanchez at risk for a possible "one and out" playoff scenario.

But with the kind of defense and running game the Jets are playing, could they do some damage in the postseason?

Ironically, some Jet fans are suggesting that team bring back former Jet Chad Pennington as the appropriate mentor for the developing Sanchez. Pennington, who benefited from Vinny Testaverde's presence on the roster when he assumed the starting job, is the missing link in providing Sanchez with a mentor on the field during the game.

For the Jet situation at quarterback has become a question mark based on Sanchez's status and the lack of a solid back-up.

Jet fans are rallying around Clemens to get it done with some luck along the way. Should Clemens win Sunday, will the Jets go back to Sanchez against the Colts if a playoff berth looks all the more possible?

No matter how the season ends, the Jets will need to evaluate their options at quarterback based on the long-term status of Sanchez and the simple fact you need two quarterbacks to win in the NFL. Add a larger role for Brad Smith in 2010, and the Jets could be one player away from becoming a dominant force in the AFC East for years to come.