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          NFL Nation

          Jets open season with six of nine games on the road

          Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports
          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterApr 15, 2016, 02:02 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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          Breakdown: It’s nasty, just plain nasty. Can the New York Jets' schedule be any tougher? It’s as if the NFL input the Jets’ opponents into a computer program called, “Worst-case scenario.” Or maybe the league office let Bill Belichick handle it. It sure seems that way because this was cooked up by someone -- or something -- with sinister intentions.

          The Jets play six of their first nine games on the road. They have five prime-time games for only the third time in franchise history. They have back-to-back short weeks in December.

          The positives? They open at home on Sept. 11, which should make for a special atmosphere.

          “It’s truly am honor to open the season at home, at MetLife Stadium, on the 15th anniversary of 9/11,” center Nick Mangold said. “I know that will be an emotional time for everyone as it was in 2011 [for the season opener].”

          Road warriors: After facing the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener, the Jets hit the road for four of the next five weeks, including two in prime time -- the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night (Week 2) and the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night (Week 6). The last time the Jets went on the road for four games in five weeks was 2007, a disastrous season. Oh, by the way, the home opponent tucked in between the four away games is the Seattle Seahawks. Todd Bowles' team will have its mettle tested in September and October.

          Back in the spotlight: After winning 10 games last season, the Jets apparently are a hot ticket again. The proof is five games in prime time, including one against each AFC East foe. Players love the bright lights, but night games can take their toll on a team. The good news for the Jets -- we’re searching hard, folks -- is that three are at home, reducing the burden.

          The Big Short: In December, the Jets play three games in a span of 13 days, a stretch that includes two short weeks. After a Monday-night home game against the Indianapolis Colts, they travel to the West Coast to face the San Francisco 49ers. After a red-eye flight home, they have an abbreviated week to prepare for the next game, a Saturday-night affair against the Miami Dolphins at home. This kind of stretch is tough at any point in the season, but especially late in the year, when bodies are dragging.

          Strength of schedule: tied for seventh, .531

          Jets Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

          • Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 15, at Buffalo, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, Seattle, 1 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

          • Week 6: Monday, Oct. 17, at Arizona, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, Baltimore, 1 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Miami, 1 p.m.

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, Los Angeles, 1 p.m.

          • Week 11: BYE

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, New England, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 13: Monday, Dec. 5, Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 17, Miami, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at New England, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, Buffalo, 1 p.m.