It won’t be hard for the Jets to improve off their miserable 2-14 season and shake the last of the stench from the horrible Adam Gase era in Robert Saleh’s first year. But how much improvement Gang Green will show in 2021 with a rookie QB in charge is the question.
The Jets head into the NFL’s new expanded 17-game schedule owners of the league’s longest playoff drought (10 seasons) and without a winning record since 2015. How will they fare this season? We take a look here.
I don’t know what a change of scenery will do for Sam Darnold, but one thing is clear, Darnold isn’t it. The Panthers overall have a better roster than the Jets but I won’t buy into the hype that the Panthers will be better with Darnold instead of Teddy Bridgewater. I expect the Jets defense to make plays. Zach Wilson in a Mike LeFleur offense should be efficient and effective in his NFL debut.
Prediction: Win
Record: 1-0
The winning streak comes to an end. Bill Belichick eats rookie quarterbacks alive. Since the great Geno Smith secured a 30-27 OT win over the Patriots on Oct. 20, 2013, Belichick-led defenses have gone 9-1 against rookie starting quarterbacks. Hard to see the Jets notching a victory.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 1-1
The Broncos defense will cause the Jets problems, along with the fact they might have Aaron Rodgers under center in Denver. But even if it’s Bridgewater or Drew Lock, the defense should carry the Broncos to a win.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 1-2
Do the Jets have an answer for Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown? On paper they do with their strong defensive line. But on paper versus on the field are two different animals. The Titans QB-RB put up MVP numbers last year as Tannehill had 40 total touchdowns and Henry ran for 2,027 with 17 touchdowns. That duo isn’t slowing down.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 1-3
Similar to the Titans matchup, can the Jets slow down the Falcons offense that will feature Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts? I say no, however the Falcons defense is putrid, so it could result in fireworks.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 1-4
I don’t believe the Jets will lose this week.
Belichick will still be an issue for Wilson along with the fact there will be more film on him to identify and attack his weaknesses.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 1-5
The Jets will snap their five-game losing streak and defeat the Bengals. We aren’t sure how Joe Burrow will recover from his torn ACL and MCL that ended his season last year. It usually takes a season or more to fully return to form. The Jets defensive line will harass him the entire game.
Prediction: Win
Record: 2-5
This matchup will feature a strong offensive line versus a strong defensive line. The winner of that matchup will probably win the game. The Colts also have a better roster with more continuity.
Prediction: loss
Record: 2-6
The Bills are a step ahead of everybody in the AFC East until further notice.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 2-7
If Tua Tagovailoa looks as shaky as he did in his rookie year the Jets have a great shot to split the series.
But do the Jets have an answer for Brian Flores’ defense? Flores has had his way with the Kyle Shanahan tree in recent memory. Last year, he crushed Shanahan 43-17 and forced four turnovers by Jared Goff when the Dolphins defeated the Rams 28-17.
Flores was also the playcaller for the Patriots in the 2018 Super Bowl when the Rams were held to three points.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 2-8
The Texans are projected to be the worst team in the NFL and the Jets should be able to snatch a victory this week.
Prediction: Win
Record: 3-8
The Eagles don’t have a good roster right now and will probably be fighting for last in the NFC East. The Jets should be able to jump on this opportunity.
Prediction: Win
Record: 4-8
The Saints have a good roster that’s a quarterback away. But it will be hard to fill the hole that Drew Brees left. Not sure Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston will be effective. At this point the Jets will be trending in the right direction.
Prediction: Win
Record: 5-8
The Jets have lost eight out of the last 10 to the Dolphins. The last time the Jets won in Miami was 2014 where Smith had a perfect passer rating in a 37-24 win. The Dolphins are ahead in their rebuild and are closer to contending.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 5-9
The Jets will get their shot at the No. 1 overall pick in Trevor Lawrence. It also will be the first time since the 2015 season where rookie quarterbacks who were the No. 1 and the No. 2 overall picks will face each other since Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota battled in Week 1. The Jaguars were in worse shape after the 2020 season. I’ll lean towards the Jets in this matchup.
Prediction: Win
Record: 6-9
The Jets versus the defending champions is a tough task. Good luck to Gang Green. The last time Tom Brady lost to the Jets was 2015.
Prediction: Loss
Record: 6-10
The Bills are in a different tax bracket right now.
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Prediction: Loss
FINAL RECORD: 6-11