If only the 2015 New York Jets could’ve played under the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement proposal.
The league proposed a new CBA this week that includes a revamped playoff format. Under the proposal, the playoffs would include a seventh team in each conference. The No. 1 seed in each conference would get home field advantage and a first-round bye.
If this playoff structure was in place during the 2015 season, the Jets would’ve made the playoffs with a 10-6 record. In that case, the Jets would’ve faced the New England Patriots on the road. In reality, they missed the playoffs by one disastrous game.
Following an upset victory over the Patriots in Week 16 that year, all the Jets had to do was beat Rex Ryan’s lowly Bills in Week 17. However, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions in a 22-17 loss, thus eliminating the Jets from playoff contention.
That 2015 team that fell short ended up being the best squad of Todd Bowles’ tenure with the Jets. It was his first season as a head coach and Fitzpatrick had the best year of his career to go along with a strong defense.
Years later, the proposed new playoff structure would only help the Jets going forward. With an extra team in the playoffs, it’s easier to make the postseason than it is under the current format. Obviously, the Jets would still have to have a decent record to get in and they haven’t done that in a while.
Nothing is set in stone with the playoff format yet, as the players have to agree to the NFL’s new CBA proposal. For Gang Green fans eagerly awaiting a playoff appearance, though, it’s easy to see why they could get behind it.