The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night 20-3 to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018.
That leaves just one wild card spot left available in the AFC and the Jets trail the Miami Dolphins by one game for the spot. It also means the Jets are in must-win territory when they visit the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.
The Jets can keep their playoff hopes alive heading into Week 18 if they can beat the Seahawks. However, if they lose to the Seahawks, or if they tie and the Dolphins win, the Jets are eliminated.
Basically, the path to the playoffs is simple for the Jets. They need to win their last two games and need one loss from the Patriots, either Week 17 against the Dolphins or Week 18 against the Bills.
With Tua Tagovailoa in the concussion protocol, the Jets may be rooting for Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday, as that would be put New York in a simple position of just needing to win their last two games.
Even if Miami loses Sunday, New England will likely face a full squad against Buffalo in Week 18 as the Bills will likely still be playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC in the final week.
It’s not an impossible task for the Jets, but the margin of error is now officially zero thanks to Justin Herbert and company.