When the NFL won in court to get Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension back on, Jets receiver Eric Decker saw an opportunity.
Decker said on NFL Network that he thinks the Jets are poised to take the next step to the playoffs, and that Brady’s suspension is part of making the AFC East a more competitive division.
“With Brady being suspended four games, I think it makes the division up for grabs. I believe in this team and we’re ready to make the run now,” Decker said.
The Patriots have won the AFC East in 12 of the last 13 seasons, missing the playoffs only in 2008, when Brady was lost for the season with a Week One knee injury. So it’s easy to see why the Jets would view a four-game Brady suspension as the key to turning the division around.
It’s harder to see why Decker would say so publicly. Brady still has a chance to play the whole 2016 season. If that happens, does Decker think the AFC East is no longer up for grabs?
Decker said on NFL Network that he thinks the Jets are poised to take the next step to the playoffs, and that Brady’s suspension is part of making the AFC East a more competitive division.
“With Brady being suspended four games, I think it makes the division up for grabs. I believe in this team and we’re ready to make the run now,” Decker said.
The Patriots have won the AFC East in 12 of the last 13 seasons, missing the playoffs only in 2008, when Brady was lost for the season with a Week One knee injury. So it’s easy to see why the Jets would view a four-game Brady suspension as the key to turning the division around.
It’s harder to see why Decker would say so publicly. Brady still has a chance to play the whole 2016 season. If that happens, does Decker think the AFC East is no longer up for grabs?