EAST RUTHERFORD — We’re at the halfway point of the 2023 NFL season and the New York Jets are firmly in contention to end their decade-long playoff drought. Before fans start punching their tickets to meaningful January football though, there’s plenty of help Gang Green could use in Week 8 from other games.
As always, we’ll take you through who Jets fans should be rooting for in a windy and wet Week 8, and if there’s a path to New York controlling their destiny as the calendar turns to November.
Let’s get to it.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Thanks to their upset in Week 6, the Jets want Philadelphia to win as much as possible. Why? Because the more Philadelphia wins, the higher the Jets’ strength of victory, a method of breaking ties in the AFC playoff race, grows stronger. As of this moment, New York has a higher strength of victory rating than any team currently in the playoff picture of the AFC. That can be helped today with another Eagles win.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Any Dolphins loss helps the Jets ahead of their matchup. New York is a game and a half back of the division lead and can have a major jump today with a win and a Dolphins loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacksonville has already wrapped up the AFC South. New York shouldn’t worry about them anymore. Pittsburgh on the other hand, is fighting for their own playoff lives. Jets fans need a big Jags win today.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans
Every other team in the AFC South needs to lose to help the Jets out. That includes the Titans today and the rest of the next two teams.
Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks
Cleveland is certainly a dark horse for the playoffs this year because of their defense. Walking into Seattle makes things so much harder without DeShaun Watson and Nick Chubb. Another playoff contender falling today would do wonders for the Jets.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Arizona Cardinals
New York wants someone to jump away from the pack in the AFC North. The quicker that happens, the harder it’ll be for other teams to make a dent in their playoff hopes. Baltimore winning today (with some additional help) should do that.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos
You can go with Kansas City here and that’ll be perfectly fine. Personally, Denver isn’t going anywhere and the more they win, the better New York’s strength of victory looks.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Simple call here. The 49ers don’t affect the Jets and the Bengals could be sunk with a loss.
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are in complete disarray. That doesn’t mean they can’t fix their woes and go on a late run. The more they lose to begin the year though, the better chance the Jets have of ending their playoff drought.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Detroit Lions
Somehow the Raiders are just a game under .500. That needs to change for the Jets to get into the playoffs.
