New York Jets: 5 Bold predictions for 2018 at start of OTAs

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BLOOMINGTON, MN – JANUARY 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks with the press during the New England Patriots Media Availability during Super Bowl LII week at the Mall of America on January 30, 2018 in Bloomington, Minnesota.The New England Patriots will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4th. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. The Jets win the AFC East and things come full circle

In 2000, the architect of the team that went to the AFC Championship Game, Bill Parcells, was leaving the keys to the Jets to his defensive coordinator Bill Belichick. Belichick was contractually to be the next head coach of the Jets, but there was one problem. The ownership was in flux, and Belichick didn’t want to be part of it. So he chose to “resign as HC of the NYJ,” and thus began the reign atop the AFC East.

Al Groh would take over the Jets for one season, and their endless search for both head coach and quarterback while the Patriots have seen the same coach and quarterback since 2001. However, things tend to run their course, and with all the turmoil in New England, and the Jets on the rise, it shouldn’t shock anyone for the Patriots to fall a little bit this year, and there’s another tie in to this season that brings it all together.

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There was someone on that Jets coaching staff in 2000 that Belichick left behind. Current Jets head coach Todd Bowles was the team’s secondary coach in 2000. So, talk about things coming full circle. Nothing would be more apropos than Bowles and the Jets beating Belichick to win the AFC East to end the reign of the Patriots.

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