Indianapolis needs strong stretch run to make playoff push

This is the 73rd all-time meeting between the Jets and Colts, including the playoffs. Once an independent neurologist clears Luck, he’ll be ready to go for the Monday night matchup at MetLife Stadium. The New York Jets have already been mathematically eliminated in the AFC East. He also said it was the first time he has been diagnosed with a concussion. They can’t afford to, not with Houston (6-5) and Tennessee (6-6) ahead of them in the standings entering this weekend. They’ve riled up their fan base by losing two straight, and face a revived Green Bay Sunday in Lambeau Field before their December 11 rematch with the Colts in Lucas Oil Stadium. He hopes it will be better Sunday, when the Patriots host the Rams.

After going 10-6 past year with this team, a lot more was expected in 2016, at least taking another step forward and competing for a playoff spot. Luck completed five passes of 20 yards or more a year ago. On Monday night, he can do it again. So I think that he’ll follow the protocol to the ‘n’th degree, and he’s on track (to play Monday night against the Jets). This season he’s averaging 4.8 yards per rush and 24.6 yards per game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is tied for first in interceptions this season and has looked careless with the ball.

“He’s a guy that breathes football”, receiver T.Y. New York’s secondary has been a major disappointment in 2016, highlighted by the decline of cornerback Darrelle Revis, and the team has struggled mightily against top signal callers.

“There’s a lot of hoops you have to jump through in the concussion protocol … and rightly so, dealing with the brain, things like that”.

JETS WR Quincy Enunwa had 5-109-1 receiving in Week 12 loss. “But they look better than what their stats are on film”. Can he keep it up? Frank Gore has topped 100 yards just once all season, the Colts’ only 100-yard rusher since 2012.

Colts WR T.Y. Hilton ranks second in the National Football League with 20 catches of at least 20 yards and is fifth with 942 yards receiving.

Watch for linebacker Erik Walden, who leads the Colts with eight sacks and eight tackles for a loss.

While his critics would prefer otherwise, JETS Bowles has made a decision to stick with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after his decent 22-32-269-2 TDs-0 INTs (115.2 QB rating) in Week 12 loss. Look for the Jets to use the run game heavily and try to get the pass game going against a weak, injured Colts defense that generates nearly no pressure to the quarterback.

After the game, the locker room was jubilant and optimism was as high around the Jets as it had been in four years.