The Jets' first seven games haven't been pretty, especially the recent efforts against the Raiders and Chiefs, but as we near the midway point of the 2008 season, Gang Green sits at 4-3, good for second place in the division behind co-leaders New England and Buffalo.
And while there are concerns about the state of the team, starting with quarterback Brett Favre and his predilection for drive-killing, game-deciding interceptions, there is also reason for optimism. At least according to safety Kerry Rhodes.
"The whole NFL is crazy right now," Rhodes told the Newark Star-Ledger. "Especially in the AFC. We've got a lot of teams that can get on a roll (and) can take over this division. We have a chance. As bad as everybody thinks we're playing right now, we're still in the mix. So we're not that bad off."
New York's schedule complicates matters. According to Football Outsiders, the over their first seven games, the Jets had the 31st easiest schedule; the final nine games constitute the ninth-toughest.
Still, if New York can pull off the upset in Buffalo tomorrow, and the Patriots fall to the Colts, they'd be alone in first place, which goes back to Rhodes' point: the Jets are far from out of it. Of course, this assumes a lot of "ifs." Probability suggests that New York will get some of the breaks due to dumb luck, but at some point, hopefully starting Sunday, the players signed this offseason to get New York back to the postseason will put forth more consistent efforts. And in case it wasn't obvious: yes, that's directed at Brett Favre.
