New York Jets 2011 Season Odds
(The Spread) – After reaching the AFC Championship Game the past two seasons, the New York Jets hope to take that next step in 2012.
Oddsmakers currently list the Jets’ odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl at 12/1 and their odds to win the AFC Conference at 6/1, which ranks them just behind the Patriots (5/2) and Chargers (11/2). The Jets are also listed behind the Patriots in terms of odds to win the AFC East at +185. (New England has odds of -165, making the Pats the favorites to win the division.)
The Jets only had five draft picks this year and went mostly offense, although their first two selections were made for the defensive side of the ball. They took Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson in the first round and Hampton defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis in the third. They switched to offense for their next three picks, landing running back Bilal Powell from Louisville in the fourth, TCU receiver Jeremy Kerley in the fifth, and Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy in the seventh.
In free agency, the Jets signed receiver Plaxico Burress (who spent the last two seasons in prison after shooting himself in a nightclub) and also added wideout Derrick Mason. The team agreed to terms with receiver Santonio Holmes, David Harris and Antonio Cromartie on new deals, and also took a shot on former first-round bust Aaron Maybin, formerly of the Bills.
Outlook: As they’ve proved the past two seasons under Rex Ryan, the Jets will be competitive thanks to their defense. The key to whether or not they can take the next step and reach a Super Bowl, however, is whether or not Mark Sanchez can play with consistency. He’s been fantastic in the postseason, which is great. But he costs them games during the regular season and then when it comes to playoff seeding, the Jets suffer. If this team can overtake the Patriots in the AFC East and earn a first-round bye, there’s no telling what Ryan could do with two weeks to game plan for an opponent. Everyone has seen what the Jets can do on the road during the playoffs, so imagine what they can do if they earn a home game or two during the postseason? The Jets are knocking on the door of a playoff appearance and maybe this will finally be the year they put it all together.
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