The New York Jets (8-7) pulled off something no other NFL team has been able to do in the 2009 NFL football season - they beat the Indianapolis Colts (14-1). The win gives the Jets control of their own destiny and can earn a wild-card berth with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

Before the day began, the Jets AFC playoff picture looked dim. The best case scenario was the Dolphins, Ravens and Jaguars each lose in in the early games and then take care of business in the late afternoon by beating the Colts. By evening, the best Jets playoff picture scenario happened. Maybe it was a late Christmas present from the football gods.

Others may think differently. They might attribute the Jets win to the fact that the Colts coaching staff sat QB Peyton Manning and most of the Indianapolis starters for most of the second half. Regardless, after the first quarter, the Jets stayed right with the Colts in the first half, then dominated the second.

The Jets actually got points from the offense, defense and special teams:

Jets Scoring

• Offense Thomas Jones RB 1 yard run in 3rd quarter
• Defense Marques Douglas DE 1 yard fumble return in 3rd quarter
• Special Teams Brad Smith WR 106 yard kickoff return
• Special Teams Jay Feeley (PK) 2 for 2 in field goal attempts

If you think the Jets don’t belong in the AFC playoff race consider this fact:
The Jets are the first team since the merger of the AFC and NFC (1970) to have the #1 defense and #1 rushing offense in the same season. Their win today reflects this stat . The Jets rushed for 202 yards and the Colts, 64.

Week 16 of the NFL season will clear up the AFC playoff picture.  If the Jets win, their appearance in the AFC playoffs is assured.

source: nfl.com

As reported in USA Today, Jacksonville’s Matt Jones just had one of the best games of his career during what has easily been the best season of his career. So, why is he available in over half of SN leagues?

It probably has a lot to do with that pesky three-game suspension he’s facing for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Jones was arrested for cocaine possession back in July. He pled guilty and entered a drug treatment facility, but the league still handed down a three-game ban. Jones was only able to play last week because he was appealing the ruling, but that appeal is expected to be denied this week.Likely best case scenario is it gets reduced to two games.

It comes at a terrible time for Jones’ owners. He caught eight passes (tying a career high) for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Browns last week, and Jacksonville faces Cincinnati and Detroit the next two weeks. When you factor in that Jones is tied for (64), easily first on the Jags, you would have had a borderline WR2.

As it stands, owners should expect Jones to be suspended this week, but keep checking back for updates just in case the NFL drags out the appeal for another week. If Jones is eligible to play, you’ll want him in your lineups.

It’s tough to hold on to Jones during his suspension, but he’ll get the Vikings (home), Texans (road), Bears (road), Packers (home) and Colts (home) in Weeks 12-16. Those aren’t the bset matchups, especially in the fantasy playoffs, but they’re good enough to make  Jones a WR3 most of those weeks. If he’s dropped, don’t forget about him in a couple weeks.

NFL players know the risks and have to pay the piper if they are caught!