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          NFL Nation

          New York Jets' schedule highlighted by Monday night opener in Motown

          Todd Bowles is looking to end the franchise's seven-year playoff drought. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterApr 20, 2018, 12:23 AM
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          The NFL has released its 2018 regular-season schedule. Here's a look at what's in store for the New York Jets.

          Breakdown: The Jets can't complain about their schedule. Really, what's not to like? It's relatively balanced, with the top opponents spread out over the four months. Three road games in the first four weeks isn't ideal, but check out the opponents -- not exactly a gauntlet of powerhouses, is it? After that, they return to MetLife Stadium for a three-game homestand -- only the third time in the past 37 years they have been home for three straight. It's as if the NFL is begging the Jets to stay in playoff contention. Travel-wise, they don't have any brutal, back-to-back trips. The bye comes a bit on the late side (Week 11), but they'll need the rest to gear up for a challenging December.

          Hello again, Monday night: In 2017, the Jets were snubbed by Monday Night Football for the first time since 2007. They had gutted their roster and appeared to be in tank mode, so they weren't the most attractive team. A year later, they're back on the big stage in Week 1, facing the Detroit Lions in Motown. Hey, at least the Jets won't be out of contention. This is only the fourth Monday night opener in franchise history. Their other prime-time appearance happens in Week 3, a dreaded Thursday night road game. No team likes to travel on a short week, but at least they have the right opponent -- the Cleveland Browns, owners of a 17-game losing streak.

          Let's talk quarterbacks: Unlike past years, the Jets' schedule isn't littered with elite quarterbacks. In fact, they face only three of the top 16 passing attacks from 2017. That bodes well for the Jets, who often melt in the presence of great quarterbacks. Ah, but this doesn't mean they're home free. Check out the final three games: They face a burgeoning star, Deshaun Watson, and two all-time greats, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. That could make for a bummer of a holiday season.

          Strength of schedule: T-25th, .477

          Jets' Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Monday, Sept. 10, at Detroit, 7:10 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Miami, 1 p.m.

          • Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 20, at Cleveland, 8:20 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Denver, 1 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Minnesota, 1 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, at Chicago, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, at Miami, 1 p.m.

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, Buffalo, 1 p.m.

          • Week 11: BYE

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, New England, 1 p.m.

          • Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, at Tennessee, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 15, Houston, 4:30 p.m.

          • Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, Green Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at New England, 1 p.m.