Biggest Takeaways from New York Jets' Week 15 Win

So, it wasn't as pretty as the New York Jets might have liked, but ugly wins are better than pretty losses any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

With their 19-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Jets moved one step closer to the playoffs by proving they could win the type of game they might need to win if they get into the postseason.

They might need to win a game where they play ugly and put the game in Ryan Fitzpatrick's hands at the end. They might need to win a game where they are held in check for three quarters and finally find a way to pull out the victory in the fourth.

But if they get to the playoffs, they will definitely need to win a game against a better team than the Matt Cassel-Kellen Moore-led Cowboys. Here are some of the other takeaways from Saturday's pivotal win.

Ryan Fitzpatrick Can Be a Clutch Quarterback

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Up until a month ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 13-43-1 as a starter when he attempted 30 or more passes, and he was 25-17 as a starter when attempting 29 or fewer passes. It might be time to re-evaluate that statistic; in the past four games, he has attempted at least 30 in each, and the Jets are a perfect 4-0.

Fitzpatrick is 105-of-162 (64.8 percent) for 1,229 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception and a 105.7 passer rating. On Saturday against the Cowboys, he didn't put up big numbers until he had to. On the final two drives, Fitzpatrick was 10-of-12 for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Jets scored 10 points on those two drives, after putting up nine points on all of their previous drives combined.

With the Jets needing their quarterback to come up big and deliver two clutch drives on the road to bring his team to victory, that's exactly what Fitzpatrick did. Give him credit for putting the team on his back when it needed him the most, but the Jets are going to have to play better and more consistently if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs—or get there at all. 

Bilal Powell Is an Underrated 3rd-Down Back

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For most of the 2015 season, the spotlight on offense has shined on wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. Neither of the two had as many receptions Saturday as running back Bilal Powell, who had seven catches for 54 yards and six carries for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Chris Ivory has been up and down this season, but Powell has stepped up in a big way to provide a boost on third down. The Jets were criticized somewhat this offseason for their faith in Powell, but the third-down back is proving the critics wrong and the Jets right in 2015 with the third-most receptions on the team and the fourth-most total yards from scrimmage.

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey knows how to use his running backs, and Powell is reaping the benefits.

Darrelle Revis Wins Battle with Dez Bryant

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Individual battles and matchups can be some of the most fun parts of football to watch. On Saturday, we got to watch two of the best at their position, as Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis went one-on-one with Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

These two have gone head-to-head two times, and Revis has now won both rounds.

Yes, Bryant caught a touchdown against Revis, but that touchdown was one of only two catches Bryant made against Revis on the night, according to Pro Football Focus. Revis also had an interception on a pass intended for Bryant—although the gift-wrapped pick was arguably intended for the Jets' best defensive back.

Revis is playing at a level in 2015 that is in line with everything we've come to expect from the All-Pro cornerback. If the team misses the playoffs, it certainly won't be because Revis was anything less than what the Jets paid for.

Special Teams Proving a Major Concern for Jets

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Between missed field goals and shanked punts, the Jets special teams left a lot to be desired Saturday.

Early in the game, punter Ryan Quigley shanked a 25-yard punt out of bounds that gave the Cowboys the ball in Jets territory. Luckily, the Jets dodged a bullet when Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel handed the Jets the ball back with the most ill-advised throw in recent memory.

But the special teams woes were not done. Jets kicker Randy Bullock would go on to miss an extra point and also a 40-yard field-goal try. He nailed the game-winner, but the confidence in him is shaky right now, after missing an extra point and two field goals combined in the past two games. 

The Jets are not the only team with special teams concerns, but if they want to survive in the playoffs, they are going to need more consistency in that phase.

Playoffs Within Reach, but Jets Do Not Control Playoff Destiny

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With two weeks to go, the Jets are in a good position to get to the playoffs, but they do not hold their fate in their own hands. If both the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers win their final two games, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

The best the Jets can do is win their last two games and hope that one of those two teams suffers a loss in the next two weeks, but that will be easier said than done.

The Jets close out the season against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are on a warpath to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed. The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, are already out of the playoff picture, but Rex Ryan would love nothing more than to play spoiler to his old team.

The Chiefs close out the season against the Cleveland Browns (3-11) and Oakland Raiders (6-8), while the Steelers' last two games are against the Baltimore Ravens (4-10) and the Browns. 

The Jets have some tough sledding, but two wins will be necessary if they aim to make the postseason.