Just eight months ago, questions swirled about why the Jets hired Adam Gase, who was fresh off a sub-.500 stint with the Dolphins.

Over time, the Gase era started to feel like a normal, natural, almost obvious fit. That’ll happen when training camp rolls around and the games don’t yet matter. It helps when the quarterback he was hired to mentor, Sam Darnold, looks sharp in practice.

But the honeymoon period is about to end.

Now, the games matter. And all of those old wounds could be reopened if the Jets don’t get off to a fast start. Or if Darnold falters.

Everyone loves a new head coach – until they don’t. Gase has received the benefit of the doubt so far. But how much longer will that last? It’s time to find out. Sunday’s matchup against the Bills will be test No. 1 for Gase, as he tries to turn around a team that’s won just 14 games in the past three seasons.

The Jets will make the playoff if ...

Gase’s offense surpasses expectations and becomes one of the top 10 units in the league. The way this roster has shaped up, the Jets are going to have to score points in bunches in order to win double-digit games. That means Darnold has to excel. He has to make the Year 2 jump that fellow young quarterbacks, like the Eagles’ Carson Wentz and Rams’ Jared Goff, have made in recent seasons. Consistency and ball security will be key. From there, it’s about Gase’s ability to keep opposing defenses off balance with a steady mix of touches from all his different weapons. If the Jets can get Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder, Le’Veon Bell and Chris Herndon to share the ball – or at least take turns being the go-to guy each week – that will become a major issue for opposing defenses.

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The Jets will fall apart again if ...

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams doesn’t find a way to cover his gaping hole at cornerback. The Jets’ defensive formula this season rests heavily on ginning up pressure by disguising looks and bringing creative blitzes. But that’s a high-risk, high-reward method. If Williams’ pass rushers can routinely break free to either tally sacks or force opposing quarterbacks into errors, then this defense will be just fine. But bringing extra bodies also leaves those mediocre cornerbacks out on an island. So, if the pressure doesn’t arrive in time, that’s a recipe for trouble and big plays. Williams needs his front seven to excel against the run and get the job done when they’re rushing the quarterback. From there, cornerback Trumaine Johnson has to bounce back from his disappointing 2018 season. He’s excelled under Williams in the past, so it’s possible. Darryl Roberts and Brian Poole have to step up, too. And the health of that starting trio is imperative; that unit is one injury away from catastrophe, thanks to a total lack of depth.

Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at mstypulkoski@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.