It’s hard to forecast a season in April, with rosters in flux. It’s doubly hard to make predictions when the team still doesn’t know its starting quarterback. This much we know about the New York Jets: Their schedule is brutal. Six of their first nine games are on the road, they have five prime-time games for only the third time in franchise history and they have back-to-back short weeks in December, including a West Coast trip. Ouch.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET
No cupcake to open Todd Bowles' second season. This is a very difficult matchup for the Jets, who will have trouble with the Bengals’ offensive balance. A small consolation: They won’t face controversial linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who will be serving a suspension. No matter -- this is a loss for the Jets. Record: 0-1
Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 15, at Buffalo Bills, 8:25 p.m. ET
It's back to the scene of the nightmare for the Jets, who shriveled up under the weight of a do-or-die game in Week 17 last season. It was so devastating that some players were crying in the locker room, knowing they kicked away a playoff berth. This time, they won’t self-destruct. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
Coming off a mini-bye will help, but Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest venues in the league for visiting teams. Pass-rusher Justin Houston (torn ACL) likely will be on the sideline, but it won't matter. The Chiefs will take it. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
This will be the Seahawks' first trip to MetLife Stadium since capturing Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014, so you have to believe they'll be in a positive frame of mind. This figures to be a rock 'em, sock 'em defensive battle, with intriguing matchups across the board. The biggest difference: The Seahawks have Russell Wilson and the Jets don't. Put it in the books as a loss for the Jets. Record: 1-3
Week 5: Sunday. Oct. 9, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
The Jets have played 24 games against the Steelers, dating to 1970, and they've never topped the 24-point mark. They probably will need more than 24 to defeat Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown & Co. on the road. Wouldn't you love to see a Brown-Darrelle Revis matchup? Give the win to the Steelers. Record: 1-4
Week 6: Monday, Oct. 17, at Arizona Cardinals, 8:30 p.m. ET
This is a pupil-teacher showdown, featuring Todd Bowles (pupil) against Bruce Arians (teacher). They go way back -- Bowles played for Arians at Temple -- and they've remained close friends and texting buddies. Unfortunately for the Jets, Bowles' mentor has the better team. It won't be a fun day in the desert. Record: 1-5
Week 7: Sunday. Oct. 23, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
This has been a remarkably one-sided series. Well, OK, maybe it's not so remarkable. The Jets are 1-8, their lone win coming in 1997. Since then, they've dropped eight in a row, not having scored more than 20 points in any game. The curse ends here and now. Record: 2-5
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets dabble in analytics, but their efforts pale in comparison to the Browns, the NFL's new geek squad. No matter. The Browns have one of the worst rosters, and they won't outnumber the Jets on the scoreboard. This will be a revenge game for former Jets linebacker Demario Davis, who felt squeezed out of New York. Record: 3-5
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets swept the Dolphins last season, but one of the keys to those wins is gone. Chris Ivory, who rushed for 253 yards in the two games, is now playing for the other AFC team in Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets will miss his physical presence. Miami holds serve at home. Record: 3-6
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. ET
From a personnel standpoint, these two teams have a lot in common: They're strong on the defensive front, featuring some of the top linemen in the sport. But at quarterback ... don't ask. The Jets will be facing a rookie, Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. It won’t be a pretty game, but the Jets will prevail. Record: 4-6
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, vs. New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Jets have a one-game winning "streak" against the Patriots. In their world, that's something to rally around. They haven't won two straight since 2008-2009. Bowles downplays these meetings, insisting there's no added importance, but the simple truth is the Jets probably have to beat them twice to win the division. They'll be halfway to a sweep after this game. Record: 5-6
Week 13: Monday, Dec. 5, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Jets beat up Andrew Luck last season on the road, and they'll do it again unless the Colts build a new offensive line between now and then. This is just a really good matchup for the Jets: their strong defensive front against a suspect pass-protecting offense. It'll be a convincing win for the home team. Record: 6-6
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET
There’s nothing worse than having to make a West Coast trip on a short week. Will the Jets face Colin Kaepernick? Blaine Gabbert? Jared Goff? The 49ers are starting over under new coach Chip Kelly, so this is a good chance for the Jets to steal one on the road -- and they will. Record: 7-6
Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 17, vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:25 p.m. ET
Another short week for the Jets. This time, they’re home, but it’s a tough turnaround. Fortunately for them, the Dolphins will be wheezing toward the finish under rookie coach Adam Gase. The Jets will gut out an ugly win. Record: 8-6
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
There’s something about holidays and the Patriots that bring out the worst in the Jets. Anybody remember the Butt Fumble on Thanksgiving 2012? The Jets’ faint playoff hopes will be crushed by their No. 1 rival, making it six straight non-playoff seasons. Record: 8-7
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, vs. Buffalo Bills. 1 p.m. ET
In a repeat of last season, the Jets will be sent into the offseason with a defeat, courtesy of their old coach. Record: 8-8