The New York Jets are ranked No. 24 in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index. Here's everything you need to know about the Jets heading into the 2019 NFL season:
The big question: Can Le'Veon Bell perform at a Pro Bowl level after sitting out a year?
Bell will be productive, and his presence will help quarterback Sam Darnold, but don't expect a vintage Bell season with 1,900 yards from scrimmage. The concerns: His new surrounding cast isn't nearly as good as what he enjoyed in Pittsburgh, which will mean more attention from defenses. There will be early timing issues with the offensive line. After all, the man hasn't played a game in 20 months. The good news: He's 27, and the year away from football undoubtedly preserved some tread on his thinning tires. -- Rich Cimini
Offseason in a nutshell
It was a turbulent offseason, even by Jets standards: They changed their coach, changed their general manager, changed their uniforms, changed pretty much everything. The Adam Gase hire, combined with the free-agent additions of Bell and receiver Jamison Crowder, were done with Darnold in mind. The Jets finally have a young quarterback with a high ceiling, and the organization did everything it could to maximize his potential. Gase is their first offensive-minded coach since Rich Kotite in 1996. Welcome to the 21st century. Gase's aggressive nature will instill confidence in a franchise that hasn't had much to feel good about since 2010, its most recent playoff season. -- Cimini
Inside the Jets' schedule
Most important game: Week 3, Jets at Patriots. In his first team meeting in April, Gase told the players one of the main reasons he took this job was to overtake the Patriots. Well, Coach, here's your first chance to back up your words. The Jets haven't won in Foxborough, Massachusetts, since the 2010 divisional playoffs. Since then, they're 2-14, home and away. 'Nuff said.
Toughest stretch: Weeks 2-7. This is nasty. It starts with the Browns, everybody's trendy playoff pick, and it includes two games against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots. Oh, wait, the Jets also face the Eagles and Cowboys, both 2018 playoff teams. The Jets' shaky cornerbacks will be tested by Baker Mayfield, Tom Brady and Carson Wentz.
Over or under 7.7 wins? Under. The Jets are poised for a 7-9 season. They're heading in the right direction, but the middle and back end of the roster are thin due to poor drafting. They can make a playoff run if Darnold develops into a top-15 quarterback and the secondary holds up, but this team is a year away from being a serious contender. -- Cimini
Schedule ranking: No. 31
A Thursday night game at Baltimore in Week 15 looms as difficult, as does a home game with Pittsburgh in Week 16. But otherwise, it really sets up for us to all be talking about Darnold and an improving Jets defense as the hot team in the league going into 2019. -- Football Outsiders | See the full 1-32 ranking
Breakout fantasy star: QB Sam Darnold
The Jets selected Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 draft and immediately slotted him in as their Week 1 starter. Darnold, 22, hit some bumps along the way, but he wasn't afraid to push the ball down field (9.4 average depth of target ranked fourth) and finished strong (six touchdowns, one interception, 7.4 yards per attempt during his final four games). The likes of Bell and Crowder improve Darnold's supporting cast as the young quarterback looks to take his game to another level in 2019. -- Mike Clay | More fantasy coverage
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 60-1 (opened 100-1)
Over/under: 7.5 (O -125/U +105)
Playoff odds: Yes +270, No -330
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Sept. 2.
Most interesting player prop
Over/under 1,127.5 rushing yards for Bell:
Cimini: Under. Bell is learning a new offense and doesn't have that stout Steelers offensive line anymore, so there will be growing pains early in the season. It's also hard to imagine him getting 21 carries per game (his 2017 rate), as Gase doesn't want to run him into the ground.
Bold prediction: Banner season for this WR1
Wide receiver Robby Anderson, due to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, will have a career year: 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He has matured off the field and developed into an all-around receiver, not just a vertical threat. He and Darnold have a nice rapport. The Jets, being proactive, will reward him with a four-year, $56 million extension in late December. -- Cimini
Where the Jets landed in NFLRank
No. 55: RB Le'Veon Bell
No. 61: S Jamal Adams
No. 91: ILB C.J. Mosley
Speed reads before the opener
Cimini: Adam Gase's plan for Jets QB Sam Darnold: Play like Peyton
Football Outsiders: Ranking all 32 NFL teams by their under-25 talent
Cimini: How Jets' Gregg Williams can scheme around defensive issues
NFL Nation: Best-case, worst-case for all 32 NFL teams in 2019
Cimini: Cornerstone to corner crisis: Post-Revis Jets mired in slump