Confidence can be contagious. There’s no real proof to back up that idiom, but if the sentiment is true, then Antonio Cromartie might be the cure the Jets need.
Cromartie, one of the most confident defenders the NFL has to offer, expressed some optimistic thoughts on the Jets’ postseason chances on Thursday afternoon. So optimistic, in fact, he went as far as to say the underachieving Jets would make the playoffs this season.
“The Jets will make the playoffs this year,” Cromartie said on the NFL Networks NFL AM on Thursday. “We believe in each other, we believe in what coach [Rex] Ryan and his staff is putting us to schemes and stuff, so we’re definitely going to make the playoffs this year.”
That type of unwavering confidence resembles the bold Super Bowl predictions Jets head coach Rex Ryan has made over the past few seasons. And at just 3-5 midway through the season, Cromartie doesn’t have much proof that his underwhelming teammates will turn things around.
While Cromartie’s confidence seems a bit misguided, the unprecedented parity in the AFC — only eight teams at or above .500 — doesn’t make such a prediction completely unrealistic.
The AFC East title would be difficult to win but isn’t completely out of the question at this point. The Patriots lead the division with a 5-3 record, putting New York two games back, while the Miami Dolphins are just one game ahead of the Jets at 4-4. As for the wild card, both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis lead the way at 5-3, but with tough a road ahead for both, there’s no guarantee either will be in such good position as the season continues on.
So, while Cromartie’s playoff claim may be brash, there’s still a chance that the Jets can make good on such a guarantee.
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