The rollercoaster ride that has been the Jets’ 2019 season is less than 24 hours away from coming to an end.
New York will take the field for the final time this year on Sunday when it travels to take on the Buffalo Bills. The game is technically meaningless, considering the Jets aren’t making the playoffs and the Bills are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, but don’t think both sides won’t be hungry to send the season on a high note — especially when records and one last chance to earn a payday are on the line.
What should Jets fans be aware of heading into Week 17? For the final time this season, let’s take at four pregame storylines to keep an eye on.
Jamal Adams’ last chance to make history
Jamal Adams is going to get one last crack at accomplishing a feat he has promised he will for weeks.
Adams is 1.5 sacks shy of tying the NFL single-season record for sacks by a defensive back. Two sacks would give him eight on the season and sole possession of the record. Five of Adams’ 6.5 sacks came during a two-game tear against the Giants and Redskins in November, but he has been a force getting to opposing quarterbacks blitzing off the edge all season nonetheless.
It’s going to be tough for Adams to pull etch his name into the record books in Week 17, but it’s never wise to count him out — especially when he’s treating New York’s final regular season game like a playoff matchup.
Robby Anderson’s final hoorah with the Jets?
There’s a very good chance Sunday afternoon is the last time Robby Anderson suits up for the Jets.
The Temple product is set to hit free agency this offseason and will command a hefty price on the open market. Anderson isn’t a superstar, but he has a skill set that makes him invaluable and has developed into a much more complete receiver in 2019.
Will New York be willing to match Anderson’s contractual demands and bring Sam Darnold’s favorite downfield target back? Only time will tell. If Week 17 is Anderson’s final time taking the field for the Jets, fans should cherish his final moments donning the green and white.
Lucky No. 7
It’s hard to believe considering where the Jets were in October, but they’ll have a chance to finish the season 7-9 with a win on Sunday.
Seven wins would be an astonishing feat for a team that looked like it was destined for a top-three draft pick for most of 2019. With the way New York has placed over the last month and a half of the season, one can only wonder what the team would’ve been able to accomplish with a bit more luck in the injury department.
Gang Green’s offensive line in bad shape
It’s only right that New York’s most injured unit ends 2019 in arguably its worst state of the year.
With Tom Compton and Alex Lewis sidelined on Sunday, the Jets will turn to Brent Qvale and Conor McDermott as their starters at guard. With Qvale and McDermott in the lineup, that gives New York its ninth different offensive line combination of the season.
The only remaining starters on the offensive line heading into Week 17 are Kelvin Beachum and Jonotthan Harrison. Kelechi Osemele has been long gone. Brian Winters fought hard, but eventually couldn’t go anymore and was forced onto season-ending injured reserve. The same goes for Chuma Edoga, who dealt with multiple injuries towards the end of the season.
