Jets in position for playoff push? They believed it could happen

The Jets have created a buzz that is only gaining steam after Sunday’s surprising 20-17 win over Josh Allen and the Bills.

No one on the Jets mentioned the P-word during Monday’s Zoom call, but they have positioned themselves to be in the playoff race for the first time since 2015.

The Jets have missed the playoffs for 11 consecutive years, the NFL’s longest active streak. They’re 6-3 at their bye week and control their destiny.

“We expected to be here,” Zach Wilson said Monday.

It’s hard to believe anyone expected the Jets would be tied with Buffalo and Kansas City in wins after Week 9.

The Jets have done it with a vastly improved defense that certainly gives them a chance to be in, if not win, most games. They just need Wilson and the offense to take care of the football. They did that on Sunday against the Bills, who have been the popular pick to win the Super Bowl this season.

Wilson didn’t throw any interceptions and the Jets ran for 174 yards on Buffalo’s fourth-ranked rush defense. On the 13-play, 86-yard drive that resulted in a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter, the Jets ran it 10 times for 77 yards. Then the defense sealed the win.

“We knew how good those guys were,” Wilson said. “We understand how good we are. Such a cool challenge to go out there and compete with those guys and get the win. Besides that, it’s understanding that we have something special.”

The Jets’ next big test comes after the bye when they play old nemesis Bill Belichick and the Patriots. The Jets have lost 13 consecutive games to New England, including in Week 8, when Wilson threw three interceptions.

He rebounded well against Buffalo, getting rid of the ball more quickly, playing smart and picking up some first downs with his legs. If he can do that against New England, the buzz will grow louder and pick up some more momentum.

Jets second-year coach Robert Saleh, a fiery, passionate competitor, is enjoying all the attention and enthusiasm that his team is generating, but he said the job is far from done. So no, he’s not collecting any receipts yet.

The Jets are 6-2 since Saleh said he was keeping receipts of people who mock his team.

“It’s been fun,” he said. “The first half of the year, even the most optimistic Jet fan wouldn’t have had us at 6-3 . . . While what’s happened in the [first half] has been awesome and it’s fun and it’s cool to get all those affirmations, it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t attack the second half in the same exact manner.”

To remain centered, Saleh often falls back on things he’s read from former Giants and Jets coach Bill Parcells. He referenced Parcells’ famous quote, “There are two things in New York, euphoria and disaster.”

“Just as quickly as we’ve been able to create buzz, we can easily create negative buzz,” Saleh said. “Reading old Bill Parcells books — euphoria and disaster is the best definition of New York, and it’s really every market in the country now with social media.

“When you win, you’re a winner. When you lose, you’re a loser. You got to focus on the moment. It’s exciting, but you know how quickly it could change if we can’t keep and sustain what we’re doing.”

The former 49ers defensive coordinator was brought in to change the culture, and he’s making his mark.

The Jets have a defense that flies around and makes plays. They’re seventh in total defense after finishing last in 2021. They also are in the top eight in opponent’s quarterback rating, passing touchdowns allowed per game and takeaways.

Saleh challenged the Jets to work on their bodies and eat right during the bye so they return ready for a stretch run that could end in a playoff berth.

“It would be remiss not to say that we do have an opportunity,” Saleh said. “But if we try to look at the long game, we’re going to miss the most important day, which is the one where our feet are right now.

“We got to focus on the moment. The moment is the most important part of the day. If we continue to stack those moments up, it’ll make for a really exciting second half of the season.”