The emergence of the young New York Jets

Before the 2017/18 season, many fans thought that the Jets would be the worst football team in NFL history. The best odds given to the Jets to win a game at a point in the summer was 64%. These same New York Jets that were supposed to win no games and be the new clown franchise of the NFL finished with five wins.

Defense

The drafting of the rookies Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, the top two picks who are both safeties, had an immediate impact on the defense. Their effort, guts, and most importantly will to win created the Jets' football identity. The Jets are tough on defense, especially with Buster Skrine, a usual nickel corner, starting at the cornerback position regularly. Buster’s attitude and physicality are not visible on a statistics sheet, which makes many football fans ignore him, considering most pay attention to fantasy football on Sundays.

Morris Claiborne, the other cornerback, had a stint with the Dallas Cowboys but came to the Jets in the offseason by way of contract. Morris is a physical, lockdown corner that is underrated and helps cover the number one wide receiver of the other team.

The defensive line was criticized, because of Sheldon Richardson going to the Seahawks. Kony Ealy, a former Carolina Panther, got picked up in the offseason and has made his presence felt every game with his strength, ability to sack the quarterback, and ball skills. Leonard Williams continued his success, and even got double teamed most of the time due to people respecting his play on the field. Mohamed Wilkerson has always been a beast and the combination of him, Williams, and Ealy causes problems to every offensive line and quarterback in the league.

The linebackers Demario Davis and Daron Lee are also underrated in their ball skills and ability to blitz the quarterback. Damario Davis has made many plays to win the Jets games, or put them in the position to win games. Daron Lee is exceptionally quick when blitzing the QB and is very good at spying a running QB when necessary.

Wide Receiver Robby Anderson running a route during practice

Offense Position by Position

New York Jets v Denver Broncos

The other side of the ball is especially crucial taking into account the fact that people had no hope in Josh McCown and the offense. At quarterback, Josh McCown was considered by most to be the worst QB in the whole league, but he certainly doesn’t look like a bottom of the league QB this year. McCown's ability to scramble when in trouble in the pocket is severely underrated and helped them in games against the Chiefs and the Bills the second time.

McCown’s toughness in the pocket and chemistry with Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse have made him a solid passer in the pocket. The speed and quickness combined with the route running skills of Robby Anderson make him a difficult cover for the best corners as shown by him getting six touchdowns in the last five weeks with at least one in each of those games.

Jermaine Kearse is more of a consistent all-year receiver that can run any route and make plays for the team at the most crucial times. He and McCown both provide a sense of veteran leadership to keep a young team focused at all times.

The offensive line has had trouble protecting McCown, as evidenced by hi, being one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Coaching Prowess

New York Jets v New England Patriots

The coaching staff has done an outstanding job this season. The head coach Todd Bowles has got a team that was supposed to be 0-16. However, the Jets finished with a 5-7 record and his leadership should have made him coach of the year.

The offensive coördinator John Morton did an extraordinary job of calling plays that McCown and the offense were comfortable with, such as the wheel route Robby Anderson runs. The smart play-calling made the offense a solid unit that could score points against good defenses. Todd Bowles' defensive ability cannot be underestimated, especially the ability to put the rookie safeties Adams and Maye in their most comfortable places.

Analysis of 2018-19 Season

Jets Helmets

What’s so surprising to most people about the Jets is that this 5-7 team is the same team that “should have” gone 0-16. People are now selecting the Jet players Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, and Josh McCown in their fantasy football lineups weekly. If a fan considered drafting a Jet in the fantasy draft at the beginning of the season, everyone would have laughed, but now Robby Anderson is a player that a lot of fantasy owners want.

This can teach football fans the valuable lesson of not underestimating some teams' will to win and playing hard every down.