New York Jets' Window Closing: Week 15 Playoff Scenarios

As the Jets continue to fall down the AFC's list of contenders, their playoff hopes go along with them. Somehow, the chance of a birth has not been completely destroyed after two disappointing losses to the Patriots and Dolphins.

At this point, the Jets have to look towards the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC and try to finish what they started last year as a wild card team.  

This Sunday, the Jets will have to travel to Pittsburgh and play a Steeler crew that is trying to hold onto a one game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC north.  Below contains the scenarios that will grant the New York Jets a birth in the playoffs.

Scenario #1:

Jets def. Steelers 

And

Bills def. or tie Dolphins, and Jaguars def. or tie Colts, and Rams def. Chiefs.

Scenario #2

Jets def. Steelers

And

Bills def. or tie Dolphins, and Jaguars def. or tie Colts, and 49ers def. or tie Chargers.

Scenario #3

Jets def. or tie Steelers

And

Bills def. Dolphins, and Jaguars def. or tie Colts, and 49ers def. Chargers.

Most important in all of these scenarios is that the Jets win. Without a victory, their playoff hopes are essentially over.  Another key in these scenarios is the Jaguars Colts game: the Colts are slowly creeping on the Jets in the wild card since the Jaguars are in the lead in the division. A Colts victory could mean that the Jaguars or Colts could win the wild card.  

Another important game not mentioned in these scenarios is the Ravens-Saints game. The Ravens have the same record, and the two teams are sharing the wild card slots at the moment.  A Baltimore loss would become a seeding advantage for the Jets pending Sunday's game—since with a Jets victory and Ravens loss, the Jets will become the five seed and will not have to worry about playing the Patriots later in the playoffs as much as they would if they became the six seed. 

While all of the above scenarios are great, the big question is whether Rex Ryan will be able to lead his Jets and rebound to keep their Super Bowl Dreams alive.