Sam Darnold gets carried away with Jets playoff pipe dream - New York Post

Sam Darnold got carried away, bringing up the “P” word — playoffs — after one win. Le’Veon Bell was the voice of reason, stressing the importance of not ignoring the mistakes that were made.

Either way, it sure beats the usual, discussing the agonizing reasons for another loss. There was actual optimism in the Jets’ locker room late Sunday afternoon, following their 34-27 victory over the Giants at MetLife Stadium, and Darnold was leading the charge.

“We need every win from now on because we still have a chance,” the second-year quarterback said after the Jets snapped a three-game losing streak. “I mean, if we get on a roll here and we win out, we have a chance at the playoffs. Guys in this locker room know that. We’re really excited to continue to get back to work. That’s what it’s about.”

Cue Jim Mora’s infamous “Playoffs?” rant.

Darnold went as far to say he thinks the Jets have turned a corner “for sure,” even if they lost just a week ago to the tanking Dolphins.

This was far from a masterpiece. The Jets allowed rookie quarterback Daniel Jones to throw four touchdown passes, leading the Giants back from an early 14-point deficit. Unlike their last three losses, however, the Jets responded, scoring the game’s final 13 points and blanking Big Blue in the final quarter.

“I think we did enough for us to win the game today,” said Bell, who battled sore ribs for most of the game, but wasn’t concerned about it lingering. “We obviously have a lot of room to grow still. It wasn’t the prettiest game. It was a tough day rushing the ball. … Guys were banged up and we were able to still go out there and get it done.”

The Jets do have the league’s easiest second-half schedule that continues with the one-win Redskins next Sunday and includes the winless Bengals. Of course, if they want to actually make the playoffs, Darnold and Co. have to win out, which is asking a lot.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. “Now we need to keep stacking these wins.”

There is at least belief after a victory, the idea that a win can turn the season around.

“That’s what we’re hoping,” Bell said.

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