The New York Jets’ are still No. 1 on the tank standings heading into Monday Night Football, but it’s a precarious situation.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Yes, the New York Jets are No. 1. Break out the No. 1 foam finger, ring a few buddies and have yourself a rager; your Jets still sit atop the NFL tank standings.
Only one full game separates Joe Douglas’s team from the second-place Jacksonville Jaguars. That means just one win can possibly keep Douglas away from a franchise quarterback that hasn’t seen this level of hype since Andrew Luck.
- New York Jets 0-8 (.000)
- Jacksonville Jaguars 1-7 (.125)
- New York Giants 2-7 (.222)
- Dallas Cowboys 2-7 (.222)
- Washington Football Team 2-6 (.250)
- Los Angeles Chargers 2-6 (.250)
- Miami Dolphins from Houston Texans 2-6 (.250)
- New England Patriots 2-5 (.286)
- Cincinnati Bengals 2-5-1 (.313)
- Carolina Panthers 3-6 (.333)
A win over the New England Patriots Monday night would be unexpected, no question. And while a surprising victory would keep the Jets atop the tank standings, at 1-8, they would have already officially given the Jacksonville Jaguars control of their own destiny.
The only tiebreaker that really matters when determining draft order is opponent strength of schedule. Right now, the Jags’ opponent strength of schedule is currently .554. The Jets, on the other hand, currently stands at .585.
When factoring the Patriots 2-6 record (which is what it would be if the Jets come out on top), the Jets’ opponent strength of schedule will fall further, but it would only fall to .575 (using all 16 opponents on the slate).
This would mean the Jags would control their own destiny, despite being down half a game. Just one more Jags loss while the Jets rest during their bye week will do the trick and switch the teams in the standings.
A tie with the Jags at this stage of the game would equate to a Jags victory. Not only do they control the strength of schedule tiebreaker, but the rest of their schedule is extraordinarily tough.
For example, they play the Green Bay Packers next week during the Jets’ bye. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts round out the Jags’ slate.
Both teams could finish 1-15 with the Jets coming out in the top spot, but the strength of schedule would have to flip. It’s definitely possible, but right now the numbers aren’t close. More Jags’ opponents (all 16 weeks, 13 opponents) would have to start winning more.
This Monday night contest is a big one for the New York Jets’ chances at young Trevor Lawrence.
