And Then There Were Three …

If three is normally a crowd, then the Jets, Steelers and Chiefs are like three sumo wrestlers trying to squeeze into a smart car -- after an all-you-can eat meal.

With the three AFC Wild Card contenders all knotted up at 8-5 and trying desperately to squeeze into the two available slots with three games left to play, the odd man out may well be the team that loses first. Of course, even if they all win out, one team will lose out -- and yes, it'd be the Jets.

After Sunday's 30-8 beatdown of the visiting Titans, the Jets would make the playoffs if the season ended today, as they’re currently in the sixth and final spot due to a tie-break over the Steelers.

But the season doesn’t end today, and the Jets’ road to the postseason appears bumpier than the others.

First off, KC and Pittsburgh share a distinct advantage over Gang Green: they both have the Ravens and Browns among their last three opponents. Baltimore and Cleveland have both been pretty awful this season, and only have pride left to play for. However, the opportunity to play spoiler may provide powerful incentive -- especially vs. their hated AFC North rival.

Still, the Ravens are now down to their third-string QB, while the Browns are now starting Johnny Football, at least as long as he doesn’t something really dumb in the next 48 hours. With Manziel, you never know what you’re going to get. With new Baltimore QB Jimmy Clausen, you do -- and it ain’t pretty.

Considering how the Chiefs and Steelers have turned it on as of late, it doesn’t seem like any of each team’s last three opponents (KC also plays Oakland, while Pittsburgh has now-punchless Denver this Sunday at Heinz Field) will beat them.

After a 1-5 start, Kansas City has put together a 7-game winning streak on the back of a defense that’s been nothing short of phenomenal. Over those seven games, the Chiefs have surrendered just 12 points a game. Meanwhile, the Steelers have been nearly as prolific on offense, putting up more than 35 a game over the past five contests.

Can the Jets win their last three? This Saturday night, they’re at Dallas. W.

Then, things get tough. The Pats come to town just after Christmas, and while they’ll probably have a big edge on playoff home-field advantage by then, they’re still the Pats.

If they come out of that with the win, then a shot at the postseason may well come down to an early January game in Buffalo. I have a feeling Rex’s won’t roll over.

It’ll be a very exciting time these next few weeks.

But can’t they just end the season today?

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