New York Jets fans have had it rough over the last few years. Sure, the Jets went to the AFC Championships in 2009 and 2010, but the well-publicized, embarrassing moves of various players and coaches have led to the quickest and most embarrassing downfall of any team in recent memory.

The Jets signed Tim Tebow, who already had a media circus and inability to throw deep haunting him, to be their backup. Mark Sanchez ran straight into his offensive lineman’s ass and fumbled the ball. The media found out about coach Rex Ryan’s sexual fetishes. The same coach got a tattoo of his wife in a Mark Sanchez jersey. Our diehard superfan mascot, Fireman Ed, quit. Then, this offseason, a linebacker knocked out Geno Smith, our starting quarterback, and broke his jaw over a mere $600 dollars (for two professional athletes, $600 should be chump change). But then, once the season started, we realized that we actually are a good team.

Over the offseason, new general manager Mike MacCagnan made some excellent moves. Todd Bowles was hired, bringing a solid, serious head coach to the locker room. The additions of cornerbacks Buster Skrine, Antonio Cromartie, and Darrell Revis make this team’s secondary the most dangerous in the NFL. The trade that brought wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Jets for merely a fifth-round pick is one of the biggest steals in Jets history, bringing an elite receiver to play opposite stud Eric Decker. The offseason was a highly successful one, and the regular season has treated the Jets even better so far.

Week 1, the Jets trounced the Cleveland Browns 31-10. They had five takeaways, and Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Chris Ivory had great outings. Ivory would rush for 91 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which sealed the game in the 4th quarter.

In Week 2, the Jets proceeded to beat the Indianapolis Colts 21-10, in a game that was more lopsided than the score showed. The defense showed up big, intercepting Andrew Luck (who led the league in TDs last year) three times.

Week 3, the Jets stuttered against the Eagles, in a game that was sloppy all around. Lots of interceptions and fumbles that worried me until the next game, when the Jets traveled to Wembley Stadium in London for a game against the Miami Dolphins. Chris Ivory ran for 166 yards and a touchdown, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 218 yards, a TD, and an INT, and Brandon Marshall had 128 receiving yards. Last week, against the Redskins, Chris Ivory again played out of his mind, rushing for 146 yards and a TD and 50 yards receiving. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bearded Wonder, threw for 253 yards, 2 TDs, and only one interception against a solid secondary.

As I write this, the Jets have yet to play the Patriots, but it’ll only be published after the game, so I won’t include a full-blown preview. However, I will go on the record about my prediction. New England’s secondary sucks and their offensive line is even worse. The Jets’ defensive line will terrorize New England’s offensive line, and if Ryan Fitzpatrick plays well, should be able to throw for a lot of yards. I think the Jets leave Foxboro with a win, 24-20.

However, the Jets have the potential to be even better. They have seven games that they should absolutely win (@OAK, vs. JAX, vs. BUF, @HOU, vs. MIA, @NYG, vs. TEN), while I can see them winning the rest (@NE this week, @DAL, vs. NE, and @BUF).

What does that mean for this team? It means they should, at this point, go at least 11-5. I am supremely confident that the Jets will make the playoffs this year, and that they will even have a chance to compete for the division title. Once playoff time comes around, I think they’ll be a dangerous team. The old mantra in sports is, “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.” So far, the Jets have outscored opponents 129-75, and if they keep it up, will surely win games. Once playoff time comes, the defense will carry us. The Jets defensive line will instill fear in opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary will proceed to embarrass them.

Do I think this team will really go to the Super Bowl? I’m not sure, to be honest. I want to be optimistic, but I recognize there are other good teams in the AFC. New England has a vendetta against everybody because of Deflategate, and will be playing with passion and purpose all season. But I do think Gang Green will compete, and hopefully, go all the way.

EDIT: I know my prediction was wrong. I had hope and somehow the Jets found a way to crush it.