NFL

Jets’ schedule makes postseason a possibility

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At first glance, the Jets making the playoffs seems about as likely as the Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate winning yesterday’s election.

Anyone who has watched the Jets this season knows their many flaws: inconsistent play from quarterback Mark Sanchez, no dominant running game, defensive and special teams letdowns. All of it has added up to 3-5.

Here’s a little secret, though — every team the Jets are competing with for a wild-card berth in the AFC is just as flawed. If you take the nine teams in the AFC who are between 3-5 and 5-3 and not leading their division, only the Steelers look like an above-average team.

The rest? Eh.

That leaves the Jets with a realistic shot at the playoffs, but they have left themselves no margin for error. If you pencil in the second-place team from the AFC North into the first wild-card spot, you have to figure the second berth is going to require a 9-7 record.

That means the Jets must go 6-2 the rest of the way. Impossible? Not if you take a close look at the rest of the Jets’ schedule.

Seven of their eight remaining opponents have offenses ranked 21st or worse. Just two have winning records (Seahawks and Patriots). With the exception of Tom Brady, the Jets won’t face any elite quarterbacks the rest of the way. It’s a mix of unproven ones (Russell Wilson, Sam Bradford, John Skelton or Kevin Kolb and probably Jake Locker) and inconsistent ones (Ryan Fitzpatrick and Philip Rivers).

It was clear from the moment the schedule came out in April the Jets would have to make it through a tough stretch at the beginning of the schedule to get to the soft landing waiting in November and December.

Of the teams the Jets will be fighting with (Raiders, Bills, Dolphins, Bengals, Colts, Chargers, Titans) for that final spot, only the Raiders have an easier schedule than the Jets.

Here is a look at the Jets’ final eight games and how they can get to 9-7:

Sunday, at Seahawks: This could be the toughest game left. The Seahawks are 4-0 at home, including wins over the Patriots and Packers (replacement ref bowl). Pete Carroll’s crew has the No. 4 defense in the NFL. It’s hard to envision the Jets pulling this one out. Result: loss (record: 3-6).

Nov. 18, at Rams: If there is one guy the Jets fans think is a worse play-caller than Tony Sparano it’s Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who held that job with the Jets for the previous six years. The Rams have lost three games in a row. Sanchez will play his best with Schottenheimer watching. Result: win (4-6).

Nov. 22, vs. Patriots: Thanksgiving night at MetLife Stadium should be electric. The Jets gave New England everything they had last month in Foxborough and fell just short in overtime. Jets coach Rex Ryan won his first two meetings at home with the Patriots before dropping last year’s game. The Jets pull this one out and give their fans hope. Result: win (5-6).

Dec. 2, vs. Cardinals: This game looked like it could be more challenging than expected when the Cardinals opened the season 4-0. Then they turned back into the Cardinals and lost five straight. This is the type of game the Jets have dominated under Ryan. Expect the Jets to beat them up. Result: win (6-6).

Dec. 9, at Jaguars: The Jaguars might get a few fans for this game since it will be hometown hero Tim Tebow returning to town. If there is any game the Jets should win, it is this one. Result: win (7-6).

Dec. 17, at Titans: The Jets will be feeling good after a four-game winning streak. It’s a Monday night game with a national TV audience. You know what that means? Classic Jets’ loss. Result: loss (7-7).

Dec. 23, Chargers: Ryan is 2-0 versus the Chargers as Jets head coach. That doesn’t change two days before Christmas as Norv Turner and Rivers wilt in the cold of MetLife Stadium. Result: win (8-7).

Dec. 30, at Bills: It all comes down to this, and there is not one opponent the Jets would rather face. They have owned the Bills, going 6-1 under Ryan. The Jets end the regular season the same way they started — with a blowout of Buffalo. Result win (9-7).

There you have it. Plan the playoff trip now. No one is saying it will be easy for the Jets to get there, but it might not be as hard as you think.

Ready for a Trojan war

IT was one of the strangest, most uncomfortable press conferences in the history of college players declaring themselves eligible for the NFL Draft, and it is going to be rehashed a bunch this week.

Mark Sanchez and Pete Carroll sat behind a table at USC’s Heritage Hall nearly four years ago as the quarterback announced he was skipping his senior season. Carroll, then the USC coach, did not hide his disapproval of Sanchez’s decision, even leaving the press conference early.

This week it is Sanchez vs. Carroll again. The Jets quarterback and Seahawks coach face each other Sunday for the first time as pros.

Both speak to the media today and surely will be asked about the awkward moment. Sanchez will say the right thing, like he always does. But you have to believe he would love to show Carroll just how good an NFL quarterback he can be.

* The Jets re-signed WR Jason Hill and waived rookie S Antonio Allen yesterday. Hill signed with the team on Oct. 3, played three games for the Jets then was waived on Oct. 27. The Jets likely will try to sign Allen, a seventh-round draft pick, to the practice squad if he is not claimed by another team.

The Jets also signed OG Hayworth Hicks off the Colts practice squad. They still have one open roster spot.