There wasn’t much for Jets fans to be positive about following their team’s ugly 37-14 loss to the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday. But here’s one thing: If the playoffs began today, Gang Green would be playing.Unfortunately, there are plenty of teams on the cusp of jumping the Jets (5-5) in the standings in the coming weeks. At least Gang Green — whose remaining strength of schedule had a combined .475 winning percentage not counting last night’s Patriots-Panthers game, which ended too late for this edition — will play five of their remaining six games against teams in the mix for the AFC’s No. 6 seed.
Here’s a look at each of the other teams who have a realistic chance to contend for that playoff spot, along with projections for the rest of the way.
Dolphins (5-5)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .525
The Dolphins still have two games against the Jets left on the schedule. Their most difficult matchup is against the Panthers (6-3 entering last night) at home this Sunday. The rest of their games are against teams on this list.
Projected finish: 6-10
Raiders (4-6)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .600
At home in Oakland, remaining games against the Chiefs (9-1) and Broncos (9-1) are likely lost causes. A visit to Dallas (5-5) probably won’t go well, either. They visit the Jets in Week 14.
Projected finish: 5-11
Titans(4-6)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .483
The next three games on the road — two of them visits to AFC powers Indianapolis (7-3) and Denver — will be brutal, but the Jaguars (1-9) and Texans (2-8) come to Tennessee to finish the season.
Projected finish: 7-9
Steelers (4-6)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .475
If Aaron Rodgers isn’t back by Week 16, a visit to Green Bay (5-5) looks more winnable. Really, this team could go unbeaten the rest of the way, but will likely struggle hosting the Bengals (7-4) and visiting Baltimore.
Projected finish: 7-9
Ravens (4-6)
Remaining strength of schedule: .517
With four of their last six in Baltimore, they could make a run. But one of those is a visit from the Patriots (7-2 entering last night), and then they travel to Cincinnati for the season finale. The Jets visit this Sunday.
Projected finish: 7-9
Browns (4-6)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .458
The Jaguars come to Cleveland in Week 13, but that’s about the only game the Browns are likely to win. Maybe they’ll split the remaining pair of games against the Steelers, but it’s hard to put much confidence in that. A Week 16 game against the Jets will be tough, too.
Projected finish: 5-11
Chargers (4-6)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .689
Their remaining SOS looks tough because they face the Chiefs or Broncos in half of their games. The other three are at home and winnable, but they won’t finish above .500 this season.
Projected finish: 7-9
Bills (4-7)
Remaining strength
of schedule: .347
Brace yourself for this: The Bills will make the playoffs. It sounds crazy, but Buffalo’s next four games are against teams .500 or below — including the Falcons (2-8), Buccaneers (2-8) and Jaguars — and the finale in New England could find the Patriots’ starters resting.
Projected finish: 9-7
