During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the New York Jets most difficult games are the focus.
New York Jets Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 6 at Arizona Cardinals
This Cardinals team is coming off a terrific 13-3 season. Not much has changed negatively for this team and it will not be surprising to see them match or even improve upon last year. This team is a dangerous match up from all cylinders.
2. Week 16 at New England Patriots
The Patriots are always highly competitive and this year should be no different. Tom Brady will be suspended the first four games thus making the division the most competitive for the other teams since Brady’s injury in 2008. Unlike like last year, Brady will no longer fight the suspension. This makes the first four games more winnable for opposing teams. Unfortunately with the way the Jets schedule plays out, they will not be seeing the Patriots during one of Brady’s suspended games. Considering the Jets will be playing this game in Foxborough, this should be the harder of the two match ups.
3. Week 4 vs Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson just had the best regular season of his career. He threw for 4,024 yards and 34 touchdowns, which were both career highs. The Seahawks may have lost in the NFC Divisional Round, but that does not minimize the domination and development of Wilson which should continue.
4. Week 12 vs Patriots
It may seem weird not to rank this game right after the other Patriots matchup, but it is not. The Jets schedule includes a BYE the previous week giving them ample time to recover from their game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Jets always seem to put up a fight against the Patriots. They have been able to split the season series with them for two of the last three years. Also, their largest lost in those last six games was by only one touchdown. Considering the game will be played in East Rutherford, it makes it the most likely game out of the two that the Jets could win.
5. Week 3 at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were looking at a lost season last year when they started 1-5. That changed quickly when they won their next 10 games. Alex Smith has been a consistent quarterback who has shown he can win. With the Jets also playing at Arrowhead Stadium, it will be yet another stop on a difficult Jets schedule.
6. Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had another successful season last year with the help of a strong offense. Even with Ben Roethlisberger only playing in 12 games last season, the Steelers still finished third in the NFL for passing yards. And despite Le’Veon Bell only playing in six games, the Steelers were able to finish sixth in the AFC in rushing yards. While Martavis Bryant will be serving a year suspension, the Jets will still have to deal with plenty of talent with Roethlisberger, Bell, Antonio Brown, and DeAngelo Williams among others.
7. Week 13 vs Indianapolis Colts
The Jets have had recent success against the Colts. They have won four of their last five games against them including in the playoffs. The Jets remain one of the few teams that have yet to lose to Andrew Luck. Having said all that, the Colts and Luck will still be a threat as long as Luck stays healthy unlike last year.
8. Week 1 vs Cincinnati Bengals
This may seem disrespectful for a team that is coming off a 12-4 record. It is not the case however, because the Bengals have lost a lot of talent in free agency. They lost wide receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, tackle Andre Smith, and safety Reggie Nelson among others. With the Bengals ranked as the eighth hardest team, it furthers the notion of a difficult Jets schedule.
Check out the Jets easiest games.
