Game by Game Preview of Jets Season

Finally, after two unnecessary and anxious days of delay, the NFL has released the Jets’ schedule for this upcoming season. In this article I will analyze each game, and although it is still early I will share my predictions and what to watch for in each game.
Week 1: TAMBAY BAY
This would be an intriguing opening day matchup, especially if Revis ends up going to the Bucs. Also, containing Doug Martin will be a challenge for the new defensive personnel, and watch for them to struggle. This potential Revis-included defense for the Bucs could cause some problems for Sanchez or whoever starts. Bearing all that in mind…

TAMPA BAY: 27 JETS: 13

Week 2: @NEW ENGLAND (Thursday Night)

This is not a good matchup for the Jets at all, especially when it’s so early in the season. I’m sure we all remember the last time the Jets and the Patriots faced on Thursday night seeing as many of us were screaming and sobbing after the “Butt Fumble.” This may be a repeat of that Thanksgiving disaster, and look for Brady to pick apart this unheralded defense.

NEW ENGLAND: 38 JETS:10

Week 3: BUFFALO

Finally, a game the Jets might have a chance at winning. Despite all the struggles the Jets have been having, the Bills are just as bad if they’re willing to bring in Kevin Kolb to start at quarterback. Last year we saw a glimmering ray of hope from Sanchez in their blowout win against the Bills, and the Bills haven’t made any major improvements. Look for this to be the game when Bilal Powell or Mike Goodson explodes and goes for 150+ yards.

BUFFALO: 9 JETS: 23

Week 4: @TENNESSEE

Ahh, the Titans. One of the most inconsistent teams in football. It’s hard to predict what is ever going to happen when they’re involved. Chris Johnson has the potential for 150 yards every game, but he is easily contained to 40 yards or less. The Jets defensive front led by Harris, Wilkerson, and potentially a first round drft pick should be able to contain Chris Johnson, taking away the pinnacle of the Titan’s offense. Also, Santonio Holmes may have little difficulty breaking away from their secondary and could get open down the field

TITANS: 16 JETS: 20

Week 5 @ATLANTA (Monday Night)

Don’t bother wasting a few hours of sleep staying up to watch this one. Atlanta bests the Jets in almost every category in this matchup, not to mention they have home field on a night game. Although the Falcons have some questions at running back, the rest of their team should be able to capitalize against the Jets. Mark Sanchez is going to get frustrated easily against a quality defense and that will only make him play worse. This may be the start of a long losing streak.

FALCONS: 34 JETS: 10

Week 6 PITTSBURGH

Once an AFC powerhouse, the Steelers have clearly lost some of their luster. However, they are still a force to be reckoned with and the Jets should heed warning against a veteran team. The loss of Mike Wallace will play in the Jets favor, along with Pittsburgh’s lack of a consistent run game. This has all the makings of a defensive battle.

STEELERS:13 JETS: 16

Week 7 NEW ENGLAND

The Patriots? AGAIN? C’mon schedule makers, why force us this burden of playing the Patriots twice so early in the season? The outcome of this game probably won’t be much different than the first. Although the Jets are home for this one, home field advantage can’t make up for lack of talent. As much as it pains me to say this, it doesn’t matter what we do against New England, the Jets are most likely not going to win. I’m still hoping that I am proven wrong.

NEW ENGLAND: 30 JETS: 17

Week 8 @CINCINNATI

Yet another formidable opponent for our fourth straight week. Although the Bengals defense isn’t the best in the league, it is still strong and will cause some problems for the Jets offense. Bilal Powell may be able to find a little wriggle room, but not enough to change the outcome of the game. If Revis stays, that would be a huge help because it would shut down the young standout AJ Green, but the Jets just aren’t capable of containing him without Revis.

CINCINNATI: 28 JETS: 20

Week 9 NEW ORLEANS

And once again, the schedule makers screwed us over with another tough game. Although Sanchez may even be able to exploit the Saints’ weak defense, Drew Brees will make ours look like a high school team. Jimmy Graham will have no problem getting open against our safeties or linebackers, and the Jets are simply no match. However, this may be the week Sanchez throws for 300+ yards and 2 or maybe even 3 touchdowns.

NEW ORLEANS: 35 JETS: 27

WEEK 10 BYE

Week 11 @BUFFALO

At this point in the season, the Bills may have turned to a rookie quarterback, such as Geno Smith or EJ Manuel. If one of them is playing, look for a complete turnaround in the Bills offense, one similar to that of the Jets when they put in Greg McIlroy against the Cardinals last year. However, the Jets will have two weeks to prepare for this game and Rex Ryan should be able to get the troops in order for a rebound victory.

BUFFALO: 21 JETS: 23

Week 12 @BALTIMORE

Normally, when you hear that your team is playing Baltimore, your immediate reaction is that it’s going to be a tough game, most likely a loss. However, in this offseason the Baltimore defense has been depleted, losing Ray Lewis, Dannel Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, and more. The Jets running game may be able to capitalize against the Raven’s new defensive look. However, containing Ray Rice and Torrey Smith will be a struggle for the Jets defense. No one on the Jets can match the speed of WR Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Without Revis, the highest paid quarterback in NFL history will exploit our secondary.

BALTIMORE: 27 JETS: 17

Week 13 MIAMI

Again, another sterotyped team that may surprise you this year. The Dolphins have never been an impressive team in recent history, and normally Jets fans would happily anticpate their matchups against the Dolphins. However, the Dolphins have been going all out this free agency, signing big name players like Mike Wallace, Dannell Elerbe, Phillip Wheeler, and our very own Dustin Keller. Due to the loss of Reggie Bush, however, the Jets won’t have a major issue in stoppping the run which will allow them to concentrate solely on shutting down Ryan Tannehill, who is by no means an elite quarterback. Look for Dawan Landry to finally make a mark on the Jets with a huge game against a potential pass-heavy team with a sub-par quarterback.

MIAMI: 20 JETS: 23

Week 14  OAKLAND

Game 2 of the Jets’ ‘easy’ run of teams. No team is ever an easy win for the Jets, but the Raiders are one of the worst teams in the league. Despite that, their passing game was one of the better ones in the league. Replacing Carson Palmer with Matt Flynn may make it better. Although Matt Flynn has very little experience as a starting quarterback, it’s hard to ignore his natural talent. Also, if you remember the last time the Jets played Oakland Darren McFadden made a joke of our defense. Now that he is back to the power-run scheme, look for him to do it again.

OAKLAND: 24 JETS: 16

Week 15 @CAROLINA

A defense that even Mark Sanchez may be able to succeed against.  Their only secondary acquisition was SS Mike Mitchell, and he won’t totally turn that secondary around. However, on the offensive side the Panthers have added Ted Ginn and Domenik Hixon, and they are a speed based offense that can have a field day against our defense. Rex Ryan willl have a tough time trying to plan against Cam Newton, when every play could be a pass down the field or a quarterback scramble. Mark Sanchez may have a 250+ yard game, but Cam Newton will have even more success most likely.

CAROLINA: 31 JETS: 21

Week 16 CLEVELAND

As I said before, there’s no such thing as an easy win for the Jets. If there was one, however, it would most likely be against the Browns at home. At this point, the Jets are most likely out of the playoffs and Sanchez is just playing to maintain his starting job. He is going to do everything in his ability to make sure he is the starter next year, along with running backs Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson. The defense should be able to shut down Brandon Weeden, and Trent Richardson isn’t enough to change the whole outcome of a game

CLEVELAND: 13 JETS: 20

Week 17 @MIAMI

The Jets close the season at Miami, and most likely this game will mean nothing to the Jets. On the other hand, the Dolphins muight be fighting for that final playoff spot, and the Jets would love to play spoiler for their long-time rivals. As I have said before, the DOlphins passing attack may be athreat, but with Ryan Tannehill at the helm the offense won’t live up to its full potential. The Jets should be able to stop their offense and stop them from making the playoffs if that is the case.

MIAMI: 20 JETS: 23

FINAL RECORD: 7-9

Overall, don’t expect much from the Jets this season. From a biased point of view, I still only have the Jeets going 7-9. If there is one good thing to take away from this season, it’s that is most likely Sanchez’s make or break year. If he continues to play miserably, this may be the last season he is the starter for the Jets. It’s not alot, but it is some light at the end of the tunnel. Rex Ryan might even give up on Sanchez during the season and let McIlroy or Garrard finish out the year. Also, this year could be the emergence of Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson, that could evolve into a decent, maybe even a high quality running back duo.