Wouldn’t it be something if the 2017 New York Jets, a team most experts predicted would be in the running for the top pick in the NFL draft, made the playoffs while the New York Giants finished the season as one of the worst teams in the league?

After being written off by most football followers, including many Jet fans themselves, the team currently sits at 4-5, only one game out of the wild card. Why did the team have such low expectations heading into the season? Was it because management had stripped the team of veteran players such as Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker? Was it because they were relying on a 38-year old journeyman quarterback named Josh McCown to lead them? Or was it because they trusted a defense filled with too many young and inexperienced players? The Jets were the TEAM that was supposedly going to finish 0-16. The TEAM that had no talent on the roster. The TEAM that was said to be one of the worst in NFL history. But this is also the TEAM that dismantled the surging Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, causing to a 34-21 dominant victory.

After watching the first nine games of the Jets’ season, I feel confident stating that this is not a bad football team. In fact, the New York Jets are actually a very good one. The record does not reflect how hard this team has worked to overcome the odds put in place by the media and NFL fans across the country. Yes, they have blown three games where they had the lead, including two crushing defeats where New York led by 14 points. But Gang Green’s ability to stay in games and fight with the best teams in the league is promising for the present and the future. Sure, they will need a quarterback to replace an aging McCown, especially after passing on the talented Deshaun Watson in last year’s draft. But there is no reason not to believe that the Jets have enough talent on this roster to reach the postseason.

Accurate play from McCown and his receivers, most notably Robby Anderson and Austin-Sefarian Jenkins, has propelled this offense into a legitimate unit. With a three-headed monster at running back in Bilal Powell, Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire, the Jets can change the pace and keep the defense guessing. Forte and Powell are threats in the passing game was the rookie steal McGuire has proven to be an exceptional downhill runner. Although the offensive line has had its troubles, the boys up front are still providing McCown with enough time to find his reliable wideouts. On the other side of the ball, however, is where the Jets have distinguished themselves from previous years. This is a defense that plays every game with a chip on its shoulder, clearly trying to prove that it is one of the elite units in the league. Rookie safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are graded by Pro Football Focus as two of the best in the league. While the defensive line had its share of struggles early in the year, both Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson have stepped up their games and showed their true value. The linebacking core continues to shine, led by Demario Davis, Darron Lee, Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin.

Some people might think this season will turn out the same as it always does. The Jets will lose winnable games, shoot themselves in the foot and miss the playoffs, all while falling further down the draft board. But this team is different. This team has heart and does not give up. The Jets travel to Tampa this week and will face off against their former signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers. With no Jameis Winston or Mike Evans for the Bucs, the Jets have the ability to go 5-5 heading into their Week 11 bye. It might seem like a fantasy to most, but in my eyes, the New York Jets in the playoffs this year is a reality.