New York Jets Have No One to Blame but Themselves If They Miss Playoffs

Entering today's game the New York Jets were 8-7 and needed to beat the Miami Dolphins and then get a ton of help to reach the postseason. It would essentially take a miracle for Gang Green to make the playoffs, and they only have themselves to blame if it doesn't happen.

The Jets have the talent to be a playoff team, but self-inflicted wounds and uninspired play have put them in this position. Rex Ryan's team has an AFC-high 31 total turnovers this season, as they have thrown 15 interceptions and fumbled the ball away an astonishing 16 times. 

Meanwhile, losses in winnable games to the Oakland Raiders (Week 3), Denver Broncos (Week 11), Philadelphia Eagles (Week 15) and New York Giants (Week 16) have buried the team.

The Jets have dropped games in consecutive weeks entering today, to the Eagles 45-19 and the Giants 29-14 last week. Both of those losses were terribly disappointing, since New York was essentially pushed around in each contest. 

Despite Rex Ryan's bravado about how good his team really is, the Jets haven't even come close to playing like one of the best teams in the NFL. New York ranks 27th in the NFL in total offense, averaging a dismal 307.7 yards per game, while the defense, the thing Ryan hangs his hat on, is allowing 22.9 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the league. 

Ryan and his team need to look at themselves this offseason regardless of whether or not they reach the postseason. So many things need to improve for the Jets to really contend with the big boys in the NFL.