As the NFL season draws near, teams begin to prepare for 16 grueling tests of their will. The New York Jets are a team on the rise, and fans have high hopes. While expectations should be tempered for Gang Green in 2018, fans can take solace in knowing some tests will be easier than others. Last Word on Sports analyzes eight of the Jets’ easiest games in 2018.
New York Jets Easiest Games in 2018
9. Week Eight: at Chicago Bears
It’s difficult to put a team with Khalil Mack in the lower half of a list based on talent. However, the Bears are still a work in progress. It remains to be seen how Matt Nagy will affect the team. Mitchell Trubisky is still a work in progress and the newly revamped Jets defense should give him problems. While the Bears are certainly a team on the rise, they should not be at the top of the list of teams the Jets will worry about in 2018.
10. Week 16: vs Green Bay Packers
Despite Aaron Rodgers making his return in 2018, the Packers are a team in flux. Jordy Nelson moving to the Oakland Raiders and the lack of an established run game create some of the biggest question marks the Packers offense has seen in years. While a youthful defense could certainly defy expectations in 2018, the Jets will face more daunting tasks.
11. Week 10: vs Buffalo Bills
The Bills are in a similar situation to the Jets in that 2018 is not a win-now year. However, the 2018 matchup between the two at MetLife Stadium should be one that the Jets can win. Whoever is starting at quarterback for Buffalo likely will not be an established commodity at that point in the season. The receiving corps for Buffalo is unproven and the Jets secondary should feast in this matchup. Division matchups are always question marks but this game should not be at the top of their list in 2018.
12. Week Nine: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are the weakest of the three division opponents the Jets will face in 2018. After losing two big names in Jarvis Landry and Ndamukong Suh, the Dolphins are a team in rebuild mode. There is still some young talent on the roster, but if the Jets intend to be serious contenders, this will be a must win.
13. Week Five: vs Denver Broncos
The Broncos pass rush is a scary sight. The only issue is that not many other units strike as much fear. Aqib Talib is now with the Los Angeles Rams and the jury is still out on an offense led by Case Keenum. Royce Freeman and Courtland Sutton are both promising rookies, but their impact in 2018 remains to be seen. If the Jets can hold off Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, they should win this game at home.
14. Week Two: vs Miami Dolphins
Again, the Dolphins appear on the lower half of this list. This time, the game takes place in front of Gang Green’s home crowd. The Jets lost an early matchup last season against Miami, but this team has a much different look. Expect the Jets to exact revenge in this Week Two matchup.
15. Week Six: vs Indianapolis Colts
Aside from Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton, the Colts roster is messy. Quenton Nelson is a promising rookie guard, but no running back has emerged for him to block for. There is no established number two receiver on the roster and Luck’s health is still a bit of a question mark. A healthy Andrew Luck is a scary sight for defenses, but without much help, the Jets should handle Indianapolis in Week Six.
16. Week 13: at Tennessee Titans
The easiest game on the 2018 Jets schedule comes in week 13. The Titans are a team full of question marks. Will Corey Davis emerge as a number one receiver? How will Derrick Henry fare in a greatly increased role? How will the loss of Avery Williamson affect the defense? Will Marcus Mariota make the leap? The Titans have a ton of upside but until these questions are answered, they land on the bottom spot of this list.
Be sure to have a look at the eight toughest games on the 2018 New York Jets schedule.
