How do you go from one of the worst teams in the NFL to having a legit shot at the playoffs in one season? The answer: trade for one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Before acquiring Brett Favre, AccuScore simulations gave the Jets an 11 percent chance of making the playoffs, with a similar outcome to their 2007 season. With Favre added to the team, the Jets have tripled their chances of making the playoffs, and are finishing with an 8-8 record in AccuScore simulations.

Favre alone isn’t the only thing helping the Jets. The addition of pro-bowl guard Alan Faneca helps shore up an offensive line that also includes Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, both recent first round picks by the Jets. Thomas Jones is also benefitting from the upgrades, returning to a 4.0 yards per carry running back.

The Jets defense was the ninth best passing defense last season, and ranks 10th in AccuScore projections, which is pretty solid considering they play Tom Brady twice. The addition of Favre is leading to longer drives, which will give the defense more time to rest. That’s helping to improve the defense by a little over a point per game, further leading to the improvement of the 2008 Jets.

The Patriots pretty much own the AFC East in AccuScore simulations, winning the division in 96.6 percent of simulations. The Jets aren’t completely out of it though. AccuScore projections have the Jets finishing neck and neck with the Cleveland Browns for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC Playoffs after the Favre trade. The offense definitely has the talent to contend for a wild card position, and AccuScore forecasts show that Brett Favre may be the final piece needed to put the Jets in contention.

Click here to see how the Jets perform in the first game of the Brett Favre era.