Replicating High-Octane Offense Only Path To Playoffs For 2016 New York Jets

Fresh off of a 4-12 campaign, plagued with questions at quarterback, and under the guidance of new head coach Todd Bowles, nobody really knew what to expect from the 2015 New York Jets.

But after finishing 10-6 and narrowly missing the playoffs, the doubt that surrounded last year’s Jets has been replaced by high hopes and lofty expectations. Unfortunately, matching last season’s offensive productivity is the only way that New York will succeed in 2016.

Of course, many of those expectations are dependent upon the re-signing of veteran afterthought-turned-essential starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. But for the most part, the right pieces are there on both sides of the ball, and for the first time in far too long, the Jets are actually built to win now.

Offensively, after what seemed like years of next to no passing attack, the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall to a group that already included Eric Decker, gave the Jets one of the NFL’s most productive pass-catching duos and a pair of receivers that combined to finish with a franchise record 189 receptions and 26 touchdowns.

Last week, Decker shared his thoughts on his team’s ability to win in 2016, as well as New York’s chances in this year’s AFC East during an appearance on the NFL Network.

”I think we’re there, to be honest,” said Decker. ”We’re set up with a tough schedule, a playoff team’s schedule. You got to win your division games. With [Tom] Brady being suspended four games, I think it makes that division up for grabs. I believe in this team that we’re ready to make the run now.”

Yes, that’s right, the division that’s been dominated by the New England Patriots since the last century may be under new leadership in 2016. Obviously, that doesn’t mean that this year’s AFC East is Gang Green’s division to lose, and any success that the Jets have this season will only come if they’re consistently able to win their way through what’s expected to be a very tough schedule.

While the Jets are scheduled to play a total of seven games against teams that made last year’s playoffs — which isn’t that uncommon in today’s parity-stricken NFL, they’ll play five of those seven games within the first six weeks of the regular season. On the other hand, that should make the second half of the season go much smoother, but it makes getting off to a strong start the NFL equivalent of scaling Mount Everest.

By comparison, New England will tangle with six teams that made last year’s playoffs and play two more games against the Jets. And similar to their AFC East rivals, the Patriots will play what’s likely to be the toughest portion of their schedule within the first seven weeks of the upcoming campaign with four games against last year’s playoff participants.

Still, it’s hard to argue with those who refuse to call 2016 a rebuilding year for the green and white. Despite newcomer Matt Forte’s ongoing battle with Father Time, New York may have made an upgrade at running back following the departure of Chris Ivory, and after quieting his countless critics with a career-high 14 touchdowns and 109 receptions — just nine shy of equaling his career mark, Marshall has the potential to be an absolute offensive monster this season.

First look at @MattForte22 in @nyjets green! ??? pic.twitter.com/qJLM8C0k0H

— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2016

But questions at the quarterback position are never good, and if the Jets’ front office doesn’t strike a deal with Fitzpatrick, the offense will be left in the hands of an unqualified Geno Smith, unproven Bryce Petty, and rookie Christian Hackenburg.

? Photos of @chackenberg1 in our uni for the first time! ?

Just search ?? #RookiePremiere pic.twitter.com/mto8wJX71G

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 21, 2016

And for Jets’ fans currently being kept awake at night by the thought of a Fitzpatrick-less offense, Petty’s attempt to calm the quarterback waters by reassuring the team’s fan-base of his progress by comparing it to his performance in a video game during last week’s interview with NJ Advanced Media undoubtedly made matters worse.

”For me, where I was when they drafted me last year to where I am now, it’s night-and-day difference,” said Petty. ”For me, it’s a process. Just watching film, I’m seeing things.”

”I played Madden the other day, and it’s not just picking run plays anymore,” Petty continued. ”It’s like, ‘Oh, they’ve got an under front [on defense].’ You start picking up things differently. That’s exciting for me.”

However, during last week’s interview with the NFL Network, Decker was optimistic that everything will fall into place in time for the regular season.

”Right now, it’s a business, and they’re [Fitzpatrick and the Jets] so far off in dollar amount, but Ryan [Fitzpatrick] wants to be back, they want Ryan back. Something is going to happen,” said Decker. ”It might be before training camp, the day or two before, but I believe he’ll be back on the team come this fall.”

Although the defense must perform well when called upon to shut down what were some of the NFL’s most productive offenses in 2015 if the Jets are finally going to snap their five-year playoff drought, and Fitzpatrick’s return is obviously critical, only the entire unit can replicate last season’s high-octane offense, and that’s this team’s only path to the post-season in 2016.

[Photo By Al Bello/Getty Images]