NFL seasons generally are divided into different phases.
They all begin with the hope phase.
Regardless of what a team’s talent level is or what its preseason expectations are, all 32 teams begin every season believing they have what it takes to contend for a Super Bowl title.
In many cases, such as in the case of the Jets this season — 5-9 entering Sunday’s home game against the Steelers — the hope phase quickly is dashed and the sobering reality that they will not contend sets in. The Jets 0-4 start sealed their fate pretty quickly, leaving little doubt that a playoff berth was not going to be in the offing.