Despite the New York Jets’ sluggish first half of the 2024 season, they still have a realistic chance at making the playoffs after their rejuvenating victory on Thursday night. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, their odds of earning a playoff spot are +300, an implied probability of 25%.
Of course, whenever an NFL team finds itself in this particular position – needing to close the season on a magical run to make the playoffs – fans flock to look at the team’s strength-of-schedule to see whether they have a realistic chance of pulling off the improbable.
The Jets’ eight remaining opponents have a combined win percentage of .443. This gives New York the fifth-easiest remaining strength-of-schedule in the NFL, and the easiest in the AFC.
Here are the teams with the easiest remaining schedules:
- 32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (.377)
- 31. Arizona Cardinals (.429)
- 30. Atlanta Falcons (.435)
- 29. New Orleans Saints (.437)
- 28. New York Jets (.443)
- 27. Miami Dolphins (.451)
- 26. Los Angeles Rams (.456)
- 25. Indianapolis Colts (.457)
- 24. Los Angeles Chargers (.462)
- 23. Houston Texans (.466)
Of New York’s eight remaining opponents, only one (Buffalo) currently has a winning record.
Here is a look at the Jets’ upcoming schedule:
- Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
- Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)
- Week 12: Bye
- Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
- Week 14: at Miami Dolphins (2-5)
- Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
- Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
- Week 17: at Buffalo Bills (6-2)
- Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
The Jets will also benefit from some travel advantages. They will play two 1 p.m. home games against west-coast teams (Seattle and Los Angeles), and in one of those (Seattle), the Jets will be coming off their bye week. As for their road schedule, the Jets only have to leave the east coast once (this upcoming week at Arizona), and they will enter that game with an extra three days of rest coming off a Thursday night game.
On top of that, the Jets will close the season with a home game against the Dolphins during a time of year when Miami typically struggles in cold weather. Under head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami is 1-7 in road games after the calendar flips to December (including playoffs).
Even at 3-6, the path to the postseason is favorable for the New York Jets. It is up to them to handle their own business each week and go on the lengthy winning streak they should be capable of with the talent on their roster.
