The Jets are set to wrap up Week 9 of the NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers. They got a chance to sit back and watch some of their fellow playoff contenders try and improve their playoff chances Sunday. Some had success, some took a bit of a hit this week. Here, we’ll recap how some of the teams the Jets are currently competing with for a playoff spot fared this week, starting with Thursday Night Football.
Steelers defeat Titans 20-16
Week 9 started with one of the three teams the Jets were tied with at 4-3, the Pittsburgh Steelers, hosting the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers sacked Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis and picked him off late to seal a 20-16 win and move to 5-3. Despite their offensive woes, the Steelers remain in a playoff position with a winning record.
The Jets do not see the Steelers this season, so conference record is going to be key in this pairing. The Steelers are now 4-2 against the AFC, the Jets are 2-2 entering Monday. The Steelers host the Packers next week.
Chiefs defeat Dolphins 21-14
The Jets got some early help Sunday when the Chiefs held off the Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany. After building a 21-0 lead, the Chiefs almost let the Dolphins back into the game, as Miami climbed within seven. They never got any closer and watched their hopes in this game slip away when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa mishandled a snap on fourth down and Miami turned the ball over on downs.
The loss dropped Miami to 6-3 and the questions continued on whether the Dolphins can beat a good team. Miami’s six wins have a combined record of 11-27 while their three losses (Buffalo, Philadelphia, Kansas City) are a combined 19-6.
New York is now in a position where they can tie the Dolphins if they win their next two games. Miami is off next week. The two teams meet at MetLife on Black Friday.
Browns defeat Cardinals 27-0
Another team the Jets were tied with entering Sunday had no trouble at all. The Browns cruised to a shutout victory over the Arizona Cardinals, who remain with the worst record in the NFL at 1-8 (how did they beat the Cowboys?). Arizona was starting a rookie quarterback in Clayton Tune and the Browns gave him absolutely nothing. Tune was welcomed into the league by being sacked seven times.
Cleveland moves to 5-3 and is 3-2 in conference. The Jets visit Cleveland on the Thursday after Christmas. The Browns head to Baltimore next week to face the 7-2 Ravens.
Bengals defeat Bills 24-18
It looks like Joe Burrow is fully recovered from that early-season calf injury. Burrow threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns and sent the Bills to their third loss in their last five games. Cincinnati for the moment holds the final playoff spot but the Jets can knock them out and move themselves into the No. 6 spot with a win over the Chargers.
The Jets and Bengals do not play each other this season. The early struggles this season put the Bengals in an early 1-3 hole in the AFC. A Jets win Monday puts them at 3-2 in the conference. The Bengals host the Texans next week.
