The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 12/20/06 Section: Sports

Jets QB Chad Pennington (coutesy of the AP)

The New York Jets playoff chances are on life support after an embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Jets, winner of five of its last seven games coming into Sunday's AFC East match-up, made critical mistakes that not only cost the game, but may have cost the team a trip to the playoffs.

The Jets were in a five-way tie for the two wild card playoff spots coming into Sunday, and were helped by losses by Denver and Kansas City on the day. But New York could not capitalize against a sub-.500 Buffalo team it had already beaten the second week of the season.

With wins by Cincinnati and Jacksonville earlier in the day, the Jets needed a victory to keep pace. But three turnovers, including a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown by Nate Clements, helped drop the Jets to 7-6.

To even be discussing the playoffs for the Jets seems like a minor miracle, as before the season the Jets seemed to be in the running for the top pick in next year's draft. Most predicted them to win between three and five games the whole season, but first-year coach Eric Mangini has instilled a winning attitude, something the team lacked under previous head coach Herm Edwards. Edwards left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs, a team also fighting with the Jets for a playoff spot.

The Jets draft picks have been a huge part of the team's success this year, as both first-round picks D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold have greatly improved the Jets offensive line. The two best picks for the Jets seem to be quarterback Brad Smith, from Missouri, and Leon Washington, running back, from Florida State University.

The Jets use Smith as a utility player, playing positions from wideout to running back, and even lining up under center at points during this season. Washington sparked an inept Jets rushing attack, which was averaging less than four yards per carry. Each time Washington has carried the ball more than 20 times in a game, he has rushed for more than 100 yards. This has helped ease Jets fans' pain as running back Curtis Martin has not played a single down this season, and may never touch the ball again. Retirement seems a likely destination for the future Hall of Famer.

It would have been wishful thinking this summer for any Jets fan or player to think the team would be in the playoff race in December, but wish has come true. With a favorable schedule remaining, the Jets have a legitimate shot to make the post-season. Whether the team makes the playoffs or not, it has shown that there is a bright future for the franchise.

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