To the OP:
The only way we see the Jets 2nd and 3rd stringers is if in that week 17 match . . . . we are 9-6, New England is 9-6 and the Jets are 11-4 . . . meaning the division is wrapped up . . . meaning the Pats and Fins would have lost before week 17 . . . while the Jets would have won out.
In this situation, the ONLY way we can get a wildcard is if we win the week 17 game against a resting Jets team (Denver could win out and be 11-5 and win the tiebreak over the Jets to get the 3 seed . . . but maybe the Jets don't mind going back to Tennessee lol) and Bmore has a record of 9-6 going into week 17 (I assume the Colts will be 10-6 at minimum), and loses in week 17 to Jacksonville . . . or if they lose the next 3 games and are 8-8 by Week 17 (3 tough games for them). In this scenario, New England would also lose atleast once...twice if our loss is against Buffalo (unless New England loses to Buffalo, then they would only need that one loss).
If both Indy and Baltimore have 10 wins at the end of the season . . . we are ELIMINATED from wild card competition . . . regardless of what we do. This is important to understand because I see people want to say wildcard is still a possibility which it is . . . but one of those 2 teams would have to melt.
Now them getting 10 wins doesn't mean they make the playoffs . . . both Indy and Baltimore could go 10-6 and miss the playoffs . . . because if New England wins out, we win out and the Jet win out except for the week 17 game against us . . . Miami is the 3 seed, New England is the 5 seed and the Jets would be the 6 seed . . . Meaning the Jets would turn right around the next week and play the Dolphins in Miami.
Still very many situations . . . Fins just gotta keep winning.
Teams to root for in this order:
Fins (win out and we are AFC division champs, and at minimum the #3 seed in the AFC, home playoff game baby!! Potential bye week!!)
Any team playing against the Jets (this includes the Bills)
Any team playing against the Pats (this includes the Bills)
Any team playing against Ravens (if we want a wildcard security blanket)
Any team playing against the Colts (if we want a wildcard security blanket)
Any team playing against the Bills (u want them to beat the Jets and Pats . . . and that's it)
Any team playing against the Steelers (only for bye week potential)
Any team playing against the Titans (only for bye week potential . . really a non factor)
Any team playing against the Broncos (only for seeding potential, tho we own tiebreak . . . really a non factor)