Don't Talk Play-Offs: It's All About Dallas

For the first time since 2011, the Jets are in the hunt for the play-offs as we enter December. We've looked through every scenario possible for how the Jets can extend their season, and truthfully, we're in a tough spot. We could win out, go 11-5 and still go home, that's the reality. However despite the play-offs being a great motivator for everyone, the Jets are firmly focused on the Dallas Cowboys this Saturday.

Are the players thinking about the playoffs? Not according to Fitzpatrick

It's too early for me to even think about that. We have a couple games left that are going to be really important for us. I mean, we’re looking at Dallas right now. We’re trying to win every single game, but this is the next one. We’ve got to put everything we can into this week, into Dallas, and try to come out with a win.

The Jets can't look ahead, and although it's a massive cliché in sports, focusing on one game at a time is always a good idea. The Cowboys may have a losing record and they may be hurting, but walking into Dallas and expecting to roll over them is a mistake. With a big divisional game on the horizon with the New England Patriots, it would be easy to lose focus.

I mean, we're looking at Dallas right now. We're trying to win every single game, but this is the next one. We've got to put everything we can into this week, into Dallas, and try to come out with a win.

For players like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall, the prospect of the play-offs is huge. They've both had long NFL careers to date, and neither has stepped foot in the play-offs. However you get to the play-offs by taking it one game at a time.

Players are not robots, with all the white noise around them, they are going to think about the playoffs.

"But the way we're going to have to do it right now is continue to maintain our focus on each week", said Fitzpatrick "That's worked for us the last few weeks and not trying to look ahead or think about scenarios or possibilities and that what we're going to continue to try to do."

Getting to the playoffs would be an accomplishment, for the players, for the GM, for the owner and certainly for Bowles. He may not be willing to admit it would be an accomplishment, but we'll do it for him.

I don't know. I have to get there first and I can answer your question. exclaimed Todd Bowles