Aug 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Christmas couldn’t have provided a better football Sunday than it did for NY Jets fans. Hoping to gain ground in the playoff race, the Jets closely monitored last night’s Dolphins vs Packers meeting in Miami. A Dolphins loss would mean that winning their final two games, paired with any Patriots loss, would put the Jets in the post-season.
Things worked out for Gang Green as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovaiola threw three interceptions to blow a 10-point lead as the Dolphins fell by a final score of 26-20.
This leaves the Jets having to win their final two games, both on the road at Seattle and then Miami, with what may be the most fragile quarterback situation in the league. Mike White is, without a doubt, the best quarterback on the roster. He’s able to read defenses and make quick/accurate throws. It’s why he’s averaging 317 yards passing per game while Zach Wilson
sits at 187.However, White is still awaiting medical clearance due to the fractured ribs he suffered against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago. In a perfect world, White gets the nod. However, who’s to say he even finishes the game? Knowing he’s banged up, you’d better believe the Seahawks will have their sights set on White’s ribs. Even if it means taking a penalty or two for a late hit, knocking White out of the game would make it worth it for Seattle. Why? Because after White, the Jets don’t have an NFL-capable QB on the roster.
Zach Wilson’s confidence and mechanics are shot. He has no faith in himself, and his coaches share that sentiment. So much so that last week, the team turned to undrafted free-agent quarterback Chris Streveler late in the game. While Streveler would be a great gadget quarterback to have a package of plays for, he is not a guy you want taking the bulk of the snaps in any contest. He doesn’t have the arm to get it done.
Other than Wilson and Streveler, there’s Joe Flacco. A dinosaur whose mobility makes Vinny Testaverde look like Justin Fields. And we’re not even talking about Testaverde in his playing days. We’re saying Vinny Testaverde today.
So if the Jets hypothetically have a shot, the only realistic chance they have at beating the Seahawks is Mike White being cleared and staying on the field or Joe Flacco getting under center and finding a way to make some plays. No matter which QB it is, it will require the offensive line to play out of their minds. With the season on the line, will the big guys in the trenches be able to pull off their best effort of the year?
We’re certainly going to find out less than a week from today.