“The New York Jets are 2-0!”

It’s been 11 years—yes, over a decade—since the Jets’ fanbase has been able to shout that from the rooftops. That miserable fact is just another example of how passionate and loyal New York’s fanbase has been despite the lack of success.

The good news is that the Jets have one of their best chances yet to break that 11-year streak today against the Green Bay Packers.

Jets must steal a win against Green Bay

As we broke down, the Jets and Packers are moving in two different directions. New York is fresh off a 1-0 start to the season after a convincing 23-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, while the Packers suffered a 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Furthermore, in their six games without Micah Parsons, the team is 0-6 (including the game Parsons was injured, as the team blew a lead after his exit), dating back to last season, and has the league’s worst point differential over that span. Today’s game will mark their seventh outing with Parsons sidelined.

There is no doubt that the Jets are getting Green Bay at the perfect time. The Packers have been sputtering, and today is just as crucial a game for them as it is for the Jets.

For New York, this game matters more than many people realize. While it would break their 11-year drought of not starting 2-0, it would also be a huge step toward breaking their 15-year playoff drought.

According to a RotoWire study, dating back to 2016, teams that have started 2-0 have made the playoffs 66.7% of the time. Based on that, if the Jets win today, they will have a very realistic chance of making the playoffs, using the past nine seasons as a barometer, of course.

On the other hand, the study showed that since 2016, teams that start 0-2 have a 14.3% chance of making the postseason, and no team that started 0-2 over that span made the Super Bowl.

It’s easy to forget how essential a hot start to the season is in the NFL. In the MLB, with 162 regular-season games, and in the NHL and NBA, which play 82, there’s plenty of time for adjustments. That patience does not exist in a 17-game NFL season.

This is why the Jets have such a valuable opportunity today. Getting off to a 2-0 start won’t only increase their playoff hopes dramatically; it will give this team the momentum they need to head into two tough road matchups against the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.

While it’s a valuable opportunity for the Jets, it will also be a test. New York did their job in Tennessee against a team with similarly low expectations; now, though, they will face a team with a much stronger track record.

While the Packers are in a rough patch, they have a reputation for being consistently competitive and well-coached. Also, the desperation will only add fuel to their fire today.

The Jets’ Week 1 contest was commonly referred to as a “must-win” by fans. While no single early-season loss will end a team’s season, especially after a 1-0 start, today’s matchup is integral for the Jets.