Change Must Come as the Jets’ Playoff Hopes Fade
Any adjustments the New York Jets made during their bye week appear insufficient and too late. Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas are out, and with them, so are the Jets’ playoff hopes and the 2024 season.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich aimed to use the time to evaluate the entire organization. During his Week 11 postgame press conference, following a narrow 28-27 loss that dropped the Jets to 3-8, he emphasized the need for a “hard look,” repeating the phrase eight times.
A perfect record remains a long shot…
The Jets have consistently fallen short of expectations. Even if they were to win every game after the bye, finishing 9-8, it wouldn’t guarantee the seventh playoff spot in the AFC. With two matchups against the Miami Dolphins and one against the Buffalo Bills still ahead, a six-game winning streak seems unlikely.
New York has already suffered home losses to rookie quarterbacks Bo Nix and Anthony Richardson. As a result, they trail the Denver Broncos (6-5) and Indianapolis Colts (5-6) in the AFC standings and lack the critical tiebreakers against both teams.
Postseason Hopes Dim for the Jets: A 1% Chance of Survival
The Jets’ playoff dreams are hanging by a thread, with NFL’s Next Gen Stats placing their postseason odds at a mere 1%.
| Team | Record | Division % | Opponents Remaining |
|---|
| Bills | 9-2 | 99% | BYE, 49ers, Rams, Tigers, Patriots, Jets, Patriots |
| Dolphins | 4-6 | 1% | Patriots, Packers, Jets, Texans, 49ers, Browns, Jets |
| Jets | 3-8 | 1% | BYE, Seahawks, Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams, Bills, Dolphins |
| Patriots | 3-8 | 1% | Dolphins, Colts, BYE, Cardinals, Bills, Chargers, Bills |
Given these slim odds, even the most daring bettors would be wise to avoid wagering on the Jets’ postseason potential. A single loss or a Bills victory would mathematically eliminate New York and New England from playoff contention.
A Team in Turmoil: An Organizational Reset Is Inevitable
The Jets appear destined for their 14th consecutive postseason absence, signaling the need for sweeping changes within the organization. Owner Woody Johnson, who once touted this roster as his “best in 25 years,” faces the harsh reality of unmet expectations and a team that has lost its identity.
A Defense in Decline
Once heralded as one of the league’s elite defenses, the Jets are now conceding 26 points and 349 yards per game under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich—starkly worse than the 17 points and 256 yards allowed in Robert Saleh’s first five games. Despite his dual roles, Ulbrich insists on retaining control of the defense, citing the importance of continuity.
Ownership at the Core of the Jets’ Woes
Revolving-door leadership and hasty decisions have long defined the Jets’ ownership. Despite starting 2024 with Super Bowl aspirations and a roster brimming with talent, the Jets sit at 3-8, steered by interim figures in both the GM and head coach positions.
This instability has been a hallmark of the Jets’ disappointing season. After a 2-3 start under Saleh, his midseason firing gave way to Ulbrich’s interim tenure, marked by five losses in six games—including defeats to underperforming teams.
A Grim Future Without Change
Talent alone cannot overcome an unstable ownership. Until fundamental shifts occur at the top, the Jets’ ongoing 14-year playoff drought—the longest active streak in major North American sports—seems destined to continue. Stability, vision, and accountability must replace the current cycle of turmoil for the franchise to reclaim its path to success.
