Joe Douglas is well aware of the low expectations for the Jets team that he’s built, and his players have heard the dire predictions, too. They all seem convinced they can surprise a lot of people. Or at least, that’s their hope.
“I know that there’s a lot of hungry guys,” Douglas said, “that want to go out there and prove a lot of people wrong.”
Of course they do. But can they? That’s a difficult question to answer after a strange and, for the Jets, injury-plagued offseason. They’re probably not nearly as bad as everyone thinks, but likely not as good as they looked at times during their 6-2 finish last season.
So what are they? Here’s a game-by-game look at the 2020 season, including predictions that might offer some clues:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
If the Jets are going to make an early statement about 2020, this would be the ideal time. The Bills have been anointed by many to be the first AFC East favorites in the post-Tom Brady Era. They have one of the league’s best defenses, too, which will be a big test for a healthy Sam Darnold and an injury-battered receiving corps. But the Jets are intent on being a part of this race.
Pick: Win
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Getting a team fresh off a Super Bowl loss this early in the season isn’t helpful. The 49ers may struggle at some point, but not yet. They are still loaded with talent and they have a dangerous pass rush, and Nick Bosa will be a huge test for rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton in just his second game. It’s an even bigger test for the Jets’ defense against this run-heavy, but multi-dimensional team.
Pick: Loss
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 at Indianapolis Colts, 4:05 p.m.
If the Jets don’t win one of their first two games – which is absolutely possible – this will feel like a must-win, because Adam Gase will be feeling the head. But the Colts aren’t what they used to be and there’s no guarantee that new Colts QB Philip Rivers is going to be thriving at age 38 while learning a new offensive scheme.
Pick: Win
Week 4: Thursday, Oct. 1 vs. Denver Broncos, 8:20 p.m.
A short week makes this game a little more interesting, but it still depends on how quickly Broncos quarterback Drew Lock comes along. The Broncos are loaded with weapons, especially after drafting Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. But their defense is undoubtedly hurt by the loss of Von Miller. That should give Darnold a little more time to operate, which he’ll need with only a short week to prepare.
Pick: Win
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Kyler Murray will be handful for many NFL defenses, especially now that he has DeAndre Hopkins on his team. Maybe Gregg Williams can work his magic and disrupt Murray, but he doesn’t really have the defensive horses to do it. A weak, C.J. Mosley-less linebacking corps could be exposed here, especially with not a lot of backup from a questionable secondary. Murray, to put it another way, could run wild.
Pick: Loss
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18 at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
The first of three West Coast trips and the first of two games in Los Angeles, not far from where Sam Darnold grew up. This should be the best of the trips, too. The Chargers are in transition, with either Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert at quarterback. Darnold, barring a surprising setback, should be the best quarterback on the field, by far.
Pick: Win
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Again, the Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East, and rightfully so after they went 10-6 last season and nearly won a playoff game. The Jets could be feeling pretty good about themselves right about now, getting through what might just be the easiest part of their schedule. That’s usually right about when they’re good for a crushing letdown.
Pick: Loss
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Yeah, sure, the Chiefs could have a Super Bowl hangover. Anything is possible. But Patrick Mahomes is still an MVP candidate and his team is still loaded with offensive weapons and more than enough on defense, too. Gregg Williams is a heck of a defensive coordinator, but that won’t be enough to help the undermanned Jets defense stop this offensive juggernaut.
Pick: Loss
Week 9: Monday, Nov. 9 vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m.
Their first crack at the post-Brady Patriots come in prime time. The Jets were crushed twice by New England last season by a combined score of 63-14. It’s doubtful things will be that bad this year, but it would’ve helped if they had the Patriots earlier in the Cam Newton Era. By now he and Bill Belichick should be just about rounding into form
Pick: Loss
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m.
The Dolphins loaded up in the offseason on a strong free-agent class and had a ton of draft picks to work with. So they should be better, and under Brian Flores they’re definitely well-coached. But they’re not likely to be a playoff contender. The question here, though, will be: Who’s the quarterback? This could be right around the time they make the switch to Tua Tagovailoa. Of course, that could also make this Ryan Fitzpatrick’s last stand.
Pick: Win
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
OK, assuming his hip is healthy, this would be the perfect time for Tagovailoa to start. And that would be good news for the Jets, because if it’s Gregg Williams vs. a rookie quarterback, bet on the Jets’ defensive coordinator every time. If you’re looking for a let-down game, though, this could be it. The Jets might have just beaten them and had a week to think about? That doesn’t sound like their kind of situation.
Pick: Loss
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
There was a time when the Raiders looked pretty good last season. Then they lost five of their last six and looked awful doing that. One of those games was a 34-3 loss to the Jets in late November. The Raiders weren’t much different then than they are now and the Jets are undoubtedly better.
Pick: Win
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Here’s the biggest problem for the Jets: If they are in the playoff chase, which they might be in a Tom Brady-less AFC East, they have a killer stretch in mid-December. Back-to-back West Coast trips isn’t easy for anyone, and it’ll be terrible starting it in Seattle – especially if they have opened their stadium to fans by then. Even without fans, the Seahawks are a legit contender. Also, they’ve got a certain safety who might be a little motivated to stop the Jets in this game, too.
Pick: Loss
Week 15: Saturday Dec. 19 OR Sunday, Dec. 20 at Los Angeles Rams, TBD
The Jets may stay out West and practice all week before this game. Unfortunately, that may not help. That’s an unwelcomed disruption of schedule for a team that could be pretty tired by the time they get to this game. Plus, the Rams are still loaded on offense, still dangerous on defense, and pretty motivated after their big Super Bowl hangover last year. The Jets are just outclassed here.
Pick: Loss
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26 vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD
Forget Odell Beckham. The highlight of this game is Baker Mayfield vs. Sam Darnold, the first and third picks of the 2018 NFL draft. Both in their third year we should have a great handle by now on which one is better, and which one is going to be better in the future. Spoiler alert: The answer to both is “Sam Darnold”.
Pick: Win
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Imagine this juicy scenario: The Jets being in the playoff chase, perhaps needing a win in their finale, and heading up to New England where so many of their dreams have died over the years. Now, don’t rule out Bill Belichick ever. And the Patriots may need this game, too. But that’s even juicier. That puts the Jets in position to be the ones who drive the stake into the hearts of their greatest nemeses, perhaps once and for all.
Pick: Win