The New York Jets entered the 2011 season with sky high aspirations. After reaching the American Football Conference’s championship game for the second consecutive season, they succumbed to Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 24-21. The slumbering Jets allowed the Steelers to build a 17 point lead, and Pittsburgh barely hung on in the second half to win the game and advance to the Super Bowl. During the offseason, Jets head coach and defensive genius Rex Ryan set the highest of bars; in multiple press conferences, he proclaimed that nothing less than a Super Bowl ring would suffice for the squad.

The Jets had several holes in their 2010 playoff squad. Then-2nd year quarterback Mark Sanchez was a young, inexperienced passer and was only asked to manage the vertical attack. Without a premier defensive end, the pass rush was mediocre and could use an influx of talent. Finally, behind superstar cornerback Darelle Revis, the secondary was suspect. With oodles of money available to use on players, the Jets tried to pair Revis with another premier corner in Nnamdi Asomugha to create a tandem that would help unlock Ryan’s blitzing schemes. Teams that blitz heavily (such as Ryan’s Jets) must often rely on single man coverage outside. Having another playmaking cornerback who could cover a wide receiver without help would allow Ryan to send players from a dizzying array of angles.

But Asomugha declined the Jets’ offer, and in the interim WR, Wildcat QB, and all around playmaker Brad Smith departed to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets resigned explosive WR Santonio Holmes and CB Antonio Cromartie for loads of money, and looked to upgrade their passing game by signing WRs Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason. The former was returning to the NFL after a two year jail sentence, and the other was a 37 year old respected possession receiver. With Holmes spreading the field, the three and Jeremy Kerley were going to facilitate an “Air Jets” program.

The Jets started the regular season auspiciously, deposing Dallas 27-24 in a Sunday night thriller and thumping hapless Jacksonville 32-3. But signs of problems to come were already visible through the veneer of victory: Shonn Greene and LaDanian Tomlinson failed to run the ball effectively (48 Carries, 3.04 Yards Per Carry), and Mark Sanchez continued to display his poor decision making ability, tossing three interceptions in the two games. When the Jets headed out west to begin a three game road trip against the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots, their deficiencies were ready to be exposed.

First up on the list of weaknesses? The defense’s ability to contain the run. In front of a raucous crowd in Oakland’s Black Hole, the defense gave up 34 points and 234 yards on the ground – inexcusable for a team without a strong quarterback. Sanchez and the Jets got to 24 points, and Oakland QB Jason Campbell did throw two INT, but Ryan couldn’t stop RB Darren McFadden at any juncture.

Next, the Jets traveled to Baltimore, a team historically known for possessing a similar model to the 2011 Jets; a great defense that often propped up a subpar offense. In this match, the offense whose run-first mentality had slowly eroded over the first three weeks came apart with gusto on the field. The Jets’ first six offensive possessions ended as follows: Fumble (and Ravens TD), Punt, Fumble, Punt, Fumble (Ravens TD), Punt, Field Goal. Mark Sanchez threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, and the Ravens defense scored 21 points in a 34-17 rout.

Finally, the reign of terror ended in front of the Patriots, who are once again Super Bowl favorites and were looking to avenge a playoff loss against New York. 2010 MVP Tom Brady had just matched his 2010 season total of interceptions (4) in a single game against Buffalo, helping remove an aura of invincibility from the future Hall of Famer. But it didn’t matter; while the Jets’ offense looked seismic, unstable at points in the game, Brady methodically dissected the defense to produce enough points for the win. The Jets lined up prepared for the pass in the 2nd half, so RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran rampant down the stretch. When the Jets cut the lead to six late in the 4th quarter, the Patriots drove down the field, milked the clock and removed all hope by kicking a field goal.

Most teams have to win ten games to guarantee a playoff berth. For the 2-3 Jets, that recipe required eight victories in eleven games. The Jets took care of business against the winless Dolphins last Monday night, but defeating the Chargers yesterday was a must. So when they found themselves down 21-10 at halftime, they needed a convincing second half to boost themselves over .500. The Jets benefitted from some helpful referees – San Diego was penalized thirteen times in the loss – but more importantly, they finished drives with seven points, not three. Plaxico Burress caught 3 (!) red zone touchdowns from Sanchez, and the Jets held off a late Chargers drive to win 27-21.

The Jets get to recharge with an upcoming bye week. Where do the Jets stack up against the AFC? At 4-3, they still must win six more to make the playoffs. The defense was stellar over the past two weeks, as they shut down top 10 QB Philip Rivers. Darrelle Revis had 3 INT in the two victories, continuing to cement the notion that he is most valuable defensive player in the NFL. The running game appears to have left its coma; Shonn Greene raced to his first 100 yard game of the season. Sanchez doesn’t look great, but at least he has found a way to covert field goals into touchdowns. All areas seem to be trending upwards. There have been several close call victories, but I have no doubt that the New York Jets will be playing meaningful games in January.