N.Y. Jets at Denver


Playoff roster


Depth chart


Statistics


Playoff history

Two years ago, the Jets were floundering at 1-15. Now, at 12-4 and champions of the AFC East, they are Super Bowl contenders.

Why?

	Vinny Testaverde proved his doubters wrong by throwing 29 TD passes for the Jets.

Bill Parcells and the best assistant coaching staff in the business, and terrific efforts from the players.

Offense
There isn't a better story in the AFC then Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who led the conference with a 101.6 efficiency rating with 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 61.5 percent completion rate.

Testaverde has been consistently good all season. And, his favorite targets, receivers Keyshawn Johnson (83 receptions, 10 touchdowns) and Wayne Chrebet (75 catches, eight touchdowns), have been unstoppable. Why teams can't corral Chrebet on third down when they know the ball is going to him is one of the league's great mysteries. Another weapon through the air is third receiver Dedric Ward, who has four touchdowns and a 19.1-yard average.

Curtis Martin finished third in the AFC with 1,652 total yards from scrimmage, including 1,287 on the ground. The Jets' commitment to the run has kept pressure off Testaverde.

A way to get to the Jets is by keeping Martin from running outside, where he's done much of his damage.

Who's hot?: Testaverde, Johnson, Chrebet and the pass blocking, which has allowed only one sack in the last five games.

Who's not?: The run blocking has been suspect at times.

Defense
It's a relatively unknown group of players who play terrific team defense. There are two Pro Bowlers, though, in linebacker Mo Lewis (81 tackles, team-high seven sacks and two interceptions) and cornerback Aaron Glenn, who had six interceptions despite missing the last three games with a sprained right ankle.

The strength of the Jets' defense is in versatile role players such as cornerback Ray Mickens, who has three interceptions as one of the best nickel backs in the game. Linebacker Chad Cascadden has also been a terror rushing the passer and spying on Doug Flutie.

Who's hot?: Linebacker Bryan Cox, who's become a team leader on and off the field.

Who's not?: Reserve defensive back Marcus Coleman, who allowed a late garbage-time touchdown to the Patriots than caused the Jets (266 points) to finish second by one point to Miami (265) for the fewest points allowed in the NFL.

Special teams
Kicker John Hall is a strength, not only as a field goal kicker with good range, but as a kickoff man. The Jets are first in the AFC in starting point for opponents' drives (the 23.8 yard line). Hall can be somewhat suspect on middle-range field goals -- he's 25-for-35 this season. The Jets' kickoff coverage, however, has been prone to give up some long gainers this season. If Glenn is healthy, he's a dangerous kickoff returner. The Jets' punt returns should be bolstered by the late-season pickup of Dave Meggett.

Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post writes a weekly AFC notebook for ESPN.com that appears each Wednesday during the regular season.