The NFL season is just four games into its schedule, but some teams are already facing prohibitive odds to make the playoffs based on historical data. At 2-2, the Jets still have, based on the aggregate of several sports gaming models, a roughly 68% chance to reach the postseason. The Giants, with a record of 1-3, have a probability of just 4%—the longest odds of all 32 teams.
This is just a statistical projection, based on factors such as current records and strength of remaining schedules. However, the Jets cannot sustain many more substandard losses such as their 10-9 defeat at home on Sunday to the Denver Broncos. They will play the 4-0 Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in London, England (9:30 a.m. kickoff, NFL Network), followed by a key matchup at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Oct. 14, with the Buffalo Bills, who lead the AFC East at 3-1.
The Jets are the most pressing threat to the Bills in the division, but had an inexcusably lackluster showing against the Broncos, who had minus-7 yards passing in the first half with rookie quarterback Bo Nix guiding the offense. The Jets were devoid of offensive juice after the unit displayed a promising four quarters in their previous game, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company doing whatever they wanted in knocking off the New England Patriots 24-3 in New Jersey in Week 3.
After rushing for 133 yards versus the Patriots, the Jets only mustered 64 on the ground against Denver. Rodgers was sacked five times and hit 14, and the offense had five costly pre-snap penalties.
“Our operation had been good throughout camp and the first three weeks of the season,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Monday. “There are things that as a coaching staff we can definitely make better for the players.”
The Giants began last season 1-5 and have a difficult road game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, who will be ornery after being devoured by the Detroit Lions 42-29 on the road on Monday. The Giants will be back on the field after falling 20-15 at MetLife to the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday. A sense of urgency should be permeating head coach Brian Daboll’s team because the game is essentially a must-win to maintain any semblance of having a competitive season.
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton put a hopeful spin on the Giants’ circumstances and outlook as they approach a pivotal juncture. “…It’s a long year. I mean, four games is…a quarter of the year,” Slayton said on Monday. “Got a lot more football to play and ultimately, if we play better going forward, we’ll get different results, and you’ll look up and we’ll be where we want to be.”
A loss this weekend would make that possible ascent highly improbable.