Jets vs. Broncos: Why New York Lost a Playoff Spot in Denver Loss

Fans of the New York Jets (5-5) are busy debating playoff scenarios after Thursday night's 17-13 loss to the Denver Broncos (5-5)—when they ought to be conducting mock draft discussions.

Gang Green will not participate in the postseason this year.

Week 11's matchup was a must-win for the Jets, who have been consistently inconsistent throughout 2011.

Although they are not yet mathematically eliminated, the following obstacles/flaws have ended the Jets' season before Thanksgiving.

No One To Carry the Ball

LaDainian Tomlinson (MCL sprain) did not play. Shonn Greene (ribs) departed early. That left the every-down duties to Joe McKnight.

McKnight is a difference-maker as a returner, but coming out of the backfield? Not really.

He makes opponents miss in space and can even power through a defender when necessary, but running between the tackles is not among his strengths.

The Jets will not generate much offense down the stretch if McKnight is their primary ball carrier.

And if Tomlinson and Greene return in Week 12, we should similarly be skeptical. When completely healthy, this tandem hasn't accomplished much.

So far this season, they both average fewer than four yards per carry.

As a result of the mediocrity of the Jets' running game, quarterback Mark Sanchez has been forced to throw more.

New York doesn't want that! After all, his 40 pass attempts against Denver couldn't get the team into the end zone. It took left guard Matt Slauson and a lucky roll to make that happen.

No Big Play Potential

The New York Jets miss wideout Braylon Edwards. Without him, this offense doesn't have any vertical threats.

Santonio Holmes used to be one as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers (16.8 and 18.1 yards per catch in 2006 and 2007, respectively). He can still get separation—that's not the issue.

Rather, Mark Sanchez has gradually lost confidence in his deep ball since Holmes' arrival. In 2011, they haven't connected on a pass of more than 38 yards.

Neither Shonn Greene nor LaDainian Tomlinson has the initial burst or sustainable speed necessary to break through the defensive secondary for massive, game-changing, touchdown-scoring gains (OK, there was one 74-yard exception in Tomlinson's case).

Plaxico Burress is hardly a factor during the early stages of Jets' drives.

Kick returner Joe McKnight, as previously mentioned, has scored on kickoffs. However, his big play potential doesn't translate to plays from scrimmage.

This flaw proved most fatal against the Denver Broncos. On a night when the offense was an abominable 3-for-14 on third-down conversion attempts, the Jets—as usual—couldn't orchestrate anything explosive.

Lack of a Pass Rush

Turning our attention to the New York Jets defense and its performance in Week 11, we understand why this franchise has struggled this season.

The Jets aren't pressuring the quarterback like they used to. They have accumulated only 19 sacks in 10 games after amassing 40 in 16 games a year ago.

Against the Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow, New York totaled only one sack while allowing him to rush for 68 yards on eight carries.

To clinch the victory, Tebow ran to his left for a 20-yard score late in the fourth quarter. There was significant pressure up the middle from the Jets, but where's the logic in that? Did they really expect the league's least accurate passer to stay in the pocket with the game on the line?

Their execution on conventional rushing plays and in pass defense was excellent.

Alas, that won't be enough to get Gang Green the wins it needs.

5-5 Is Too Deep a Hole to Dig out of

I'm sure you are all wondering: What do the New York Jets need to do to return to the playoffs?

Answer: They will need to win at least five of their final six matchups.

These include road games at the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins, and home dates with the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants.

Final records of 10-6 (possibly) or 11-5 (almost definitely) give them a chance.

A lot is working against them, however.

New York has lost to the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots (twice) and now the Denver Broncos. Each of those franchises holds a tiebreaker over the Jets if they were to finish with identical records.

Also, keep in mind that the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers are shoe-ins to represent the AFC. That leaves only four spots for everybody else.

Considering these circumstances, 10 wins may not be enough.

Mark Sanchez and Co. need to finish the season strong and I don't believe they will.