"We might have to win both our last two games but on the other hand, just a point might even be enough," said the manager.
"I've given up trying to predict anything in this league so we'll just be focusing on winning them both."
But Jewell is sure to have one eye on results elsewhere this weekend to see if their destiny becomes any clearer.
Defeat for Sheffield United tonight and a win for Latics tomorrow, would mean the eighth placed Blades couldn't catch Jewell's men.
And were Crystal Palace to be beaten tomorrow and Latics pick up three points, only a glut of goals on the final day could see the Londoners leapfrog them.
In all likelihood, it looks like going right down to the wire, hence Jewell's target of wanting a maximum return of points.
Jewell is forced into changes for the club's first ever visit to Forest, Gareth Farrelly and Lee McCulloch coming in for suspended duo Jason Jarrett and Jason Roberts. But he won't be losing any sleep over his selection as he has full faith in the quality of his squad.
"We are going to miss the two suspended lads but it's not as if I have to scrape the barrel for replacements," said Jewell. "I've got some good players to chose from and I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job for the team."
As the tension thickens for the next two games, Jewell will draw on his experiences as manager of Bradford.
He clinched automatic promotion to the Premiership five years ago with a final day win at Wolves, and then kept them in the top flight 12 months later, the Bantams beating Liverpool on the last day of the campaign.
"It's almost better knowing you need to win rather than thinking a draw would be enough," said Jewell.
"As a manager, I've been through most emotions – promotion, staving off relegation and getting the sack.
"It's been pretty much a full and varied career, and occasionally when I'm feeling nostalgic, I watch the videos of the Wolves and Liverpool games. To be honest, I still get sweaty palms watching them and sometimes I don't know how I handled the pressure."
Jewell expects a tough game tomorrow, even though Forest have fought off the threat of relegation and are steaming towards a mid-table finish,
He said: "This is their last game at home, they can't go down, so they will be playing with plenty of freedom.
"I think they are in a false position because of the high quality players they have there.
"Earlier in the season they got into a slump, and no matter how good players are, a drop in confidence can affect you. It's strange how quickly things turn in football.
"Paul Hart got them to the play-offs last season, was doing a terrific job, and was getting touted for big jobs.
"Suddenly he got the bullet and now he is manager at Barnsley.
"Joe Kinnear has gone in there, changed the style a bit and tightened them up.
"Their front two are a handful, and in Michael Dawson, they arguably have the best centre-half in this division."
Latics fans intending to travel to Nottingham are reminded that the game is all-ticket, with the JJB ticket office staying open until tomorrow lunchtime.
Source: Wigan Evening Post.
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