NFL Playoff Picture: 3 Teams That Need To Turn on the Jets Now

Now is not the time to mess around. 

There are a multitude of teams fighting for final playoff spots in each conference and in all likelihood, the final postseason picture will not be set until the final week of the regular season. 

The following teams need to turn the jets on now if they want to be a part of this postseason. 

It won't be easy. 

New York Jets

The Jets are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. 

They hold the tiebreaker over the 8-6 Cincinnati Bengals and face off against their NYC rival Giants this week.

Mark Sanchez must bounce back from the lackluster performance he put on against the Eagles in Philadelphia last Sunday and the defense also needs to improve against an equally potent offense.

I thought this was a Super Bowl-caliber club with a tremendously stifling defensive unit?

They control their own destiny and cannot slip up against a Giants team that's just as hungry for a win.  

New York Giants

Before their game with the Redskins, the Giants looked to be in control of the NFC East. Then, the game happened. 

They were stunned by an inferior Washington club that actually completed the season sweep on Sunday. 

Eli Manning was atrocious, throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns—the first time he's done that in his career. 

With the Cowboys now holding a one-game lead in the division, they can't afford to lose this game on Christmas Eve to the Jets. 

Actually, if they lose, then beat the Cowboys in the season finale and the Eagles win out, Philadelphia's going to the postseason. 

Time to play up to your potential, G-Men.

No more drops, errant throws or porous coverage in the secondary.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals bounced back against the Rams on Sunday after losing four of their last five and currently sit at 8-6. 

Because the Jets have a better win percentage in common games, the Bengals are in the No. 7 spot and out of the playoffs. 

They face a resurgent Arizona Cardinals team on Saturday at home and must play a complete game to get the much-needed victory. 

Larry Fitzgerald poses a major threat and the defense is improved from the beginning of the season. 

Don't forget, Cincinnati welcomes the Baltimore Ravens in a season-ending game that could quite possibly be huge for both teams.