When the schedule was released in April, the prediction here was 8-8 for the New York Jets. Because I'm such a glass-half-full kind of guy (cough, cough), I'll stick with 8-8, even though the quarterback upheaval and Sheldon Richardson's suspension are reasons to think they will slip below .500. They will keep it interesting until Thanksgiving, but they will miss the playoffs, in part, because of a tough December schedule.

Our revised breakdown of the Jets' schedule, complete with fearless predictions:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

The Jets couldn't have handpicked a better opponent to start the Todd Bowles era. This is one of the few Sundays in which they won't be at a disadvantage at the quarterback position. The Browns don't have any receivers either, which should allow Darrelle Revis & Co. to dominate. But at the same time, Browns coach Mike Pettine, a former Jets assistant, will keep the pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick with his blitz schemes. Prediction: Jets 17, Browns 13. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Monday, Sept. 21, at Indianapolis Colts, 8:30 p.m. ET

This will be the Jets' only appearance on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Andrew Luck is tough to beat at home (19-5), and he'll be too much for the Jets' to handle. Who covers T.Y. Hilton? He's too quick for the Jets' corners. Prediction: Colts 27, Jets 21. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET

The Jets have a few legitimate toss-up games on the schedule, and this is one of them. The Jets' strength (stopping the run) should play well against the Eagles' strength (running back DeMarco Murray), so the Jets should be able to pull out a close one. It'll be a lot more entertaining if former Jets Golden Boy Mark Sanchez gets to play. Prediction: Jets 27, Eagles 21. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, at Miami Dolphins, 9:30 a.m. ET

This is historic: the NFL's first divisional game in London. It's also the Jets' first regular-season game overseas. This will be the Dolphins' third trip across the pond (second year in a row), which gives them a slight advantage if you believe in the "been there, done that" credo. In the end, Ndamukong Suh will cause more problems than the jet lag. Look for the Dolphins to prevail in an ugly, low-scoring game. Prediction: Dolphins 19, Jets 17. Record: 2-2.

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET

The Jets and Redskins will bring two of the most compelling quarterback soap operas into the same stadium. By now, Geno Smith (broken jaw) should be medically cleared to play, creating the possibility of a quarterback controversy if Fitzpatrick slumps. For the Redskins, will Kirk Cousins still be ahead of Robert Griffin III? It won't matter. The Jets are the better team and they'll win easily, giving Bowles a victory over his old team. Prediction: Jets 27, Redskins 10. Record: 3-2.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

Welcome to the Border War, Todd Bowles. His challenge is to break the Foxborough curse. The Jets have dropped four straight on the road in this series, including the last three by a combined total of eight points. Revis' return will be one of the major storylines. The Jets will keep it close enough to have their hearts broken in the end, as they always do against the Patriots. Prediction: Patriots 24, Jets 21. Record: 3-3.

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET

We're predicting the return of Sheldon Richardson, whose current four-game drug suspension probably will be increased because of his arrest before training camp. (A random thought: Richardson would make a good Raider, don't you think?) The Jets will struggle with the improved Silver & Black, whose defensive front will cause problems for them at the point of attack. Prediction: Raiders 24, Jets 17. Record: 3-4.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET

Former Jets general manager John Idzik is now a special assistant to the Jaguars' GM. Will he make the trip to MetLife Stadium? If he does, you can bet he'll be greeted by a banner-toting airplane over the stadium. If the Jets can figure out a way to cover the tight end (Julius Thomas is a good one), they should win easily. Prediction: Jets 28, Jaguars 10. Record: 4-4.

Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12, Buffalo Bills, 8:25 p.m. ET

There won't be too much hype for this game, will there? It'll be Rex-ageddon in prime time. No doubt, Rex Ryan badly wants to beat the team that fired him in January. The Bills' new coach has done a lot of chirping about his bitter divorce, and you can bet he'll continue all the way to kickoff. Maybe he'll promote IK Enemkpali from the practice squad and make him a game captain just for this week. That would be so Rex. Prediction: Bills 17, Jets 16. Record: 4-5.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

The "Hard Knocks" alums square off in what could be billed the Fitzpatrick Bowl. Or maybe the Mike Maccagnan Bowl. Fitzpatrick (if he's still starting) and Maccagnan return to Houston, but it won't be a happy homecoming. It'll be too much J.J. Watt and too much Jadeveon Clowney on the edges. Prediction: Texans 24, Jets 20. Record: 4-6.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

Geno Smith will return to the starting lineup, replacing the slumping Fitzpatrick. Good timing. Smith usually plays well against Miami. Meanwhile, the parade of ex-Jets heavyweights continues. First, it was Idzik and Ryan. Now it's the return of former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphins' executive vice president. The Jets will make it 2-1 against guys they fired, a winning month for owner Woody Johnson. Prediction: Jets 38, Dolphins 35. Record: 5-6.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET

In a must-win game, the Jets will send Tom Coughlin one step closer to retirement, beating up on the defensively challenged Giants. The game will feature the matchup of all matchups: Revis versus Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham will vanish on Revis Island. Prediction: Jets 31, Giants 23. Record: 6-6.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET

The Jets will win their third straight, teaching talented rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota a lesson about life in the NFL. But you know what? Even in victory, Bowles will wish he had him. Prediction: Jets 34, Titans 13. Record: 7-6.

Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 19, at Dallas Cowboys, 8:25 p.m. ET

The Jets visit Jerry's World for the first time, clinging to their playoff hopes. The offense is humming -- three straight games in the 30s -- but Geno Smith will have a rough day against the Cowboys' improved defense. It'll be five straight years out of the playoffs. Prediction: Cowboys 27, Jets 17. Record: 7-7.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

Someone will ask Bowles after the game if he's ready to kiss Bill Belichick's rings and the soft-spoken coach will respond with his first public display of anger. Hey, look at the bright side: Brady will be another year closer to retirement. Prediction: Patriots 20, Jets 16. Record: 7-8.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET

Playing the role of spoiler, the Jets will knock Rex & Co. out of the playoffs on a Geno Smith touchdown pass in the final seconds. After the game, Ryan will announce that he's joining Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas for a "God damn" snack (i.e. Buffalo wings) at the Anchor Bar. Prediction: Jets 28, Bills 23. Record: 8-8.