Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 New York Jets
AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA
New York Jets
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 10-6 | 2nd in AFC East |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
Offensive Coordinator: Chan Gailey
Defensive Coordinator: Kacy Rodgers
Key Additions
- RB Matt Forte
- LT Ryan Clady
- LB Bruce Carter
- LB Darron Lee (1st round)
- LB Erin Henderson
Key Departures
- RB Chris Ivory
- LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson
- CB Antonio Cromartie
- DT Damon Harrison
- TE Jace Amaro
- WR Jeremy Kerley
- WR Kenbrell Thompkins
Preseason Power Ranking - No. 16
Ryan Fitzpatrick's back! Time to celebrate, right? Maybe not. If the veteran's play returns to normal after a solid 2015, the Jets' aging roster isn't set up to carry him. More ...
Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | Brandon Marshall |
| WR | Eric Decker |
| WR | Quincy Enunwa |
| LT | Ryan Clady |
| LG | James Carpenter |
| C | Nick Mangold |
| RG | Brian Winters |
| RT | Ben Ijalana |
| TE | Kellen Davis |
| QB | Ryan Fitzpatrick |
| RB | Matt Forte |
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Muhammad Wilkerson |
| NT | Steve McLendon |
| DE | Leonard Williams* |
| OLB | Jordan Jenkins |
| ILB | Erin Henderson |
| ILB | David Harris |
| OLB | Lorenzo Mauldin |
| CB | Darrelle Revis |
| SS | Calvin Pryor |
| FS | Marcus Gilchrist |
| CB | Buster Skrine |
*defensive end Sheldon Richardson will serve a one-game suspension to start the season for violating the off-field personal conduct policy
Questions to Answer
- Can Ryan Fitzpatrick perform at the same level as 2015?
- Will the defense be as potent without Antonio Cromartie and Damon Harrison?
- Will a brutal schedule over the first six weeks of the season sink playoff hopes for the sixth year in a row?
Best-case Scenario
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the offense find a way to play at the same level they did last season giving the Jets a chance to go .500 over the first six games of the season. Somehow the Jets managed to keep a talent parity on defense despite losing a few key starters, so they should be able to keep points off the board as Todd Bowles continues to mold this unit in his image.
Worst-case Scenario
The Jets falter out of the gate and are unable to capitalize on the Tom Brady-less Patriots' plight throughout the first month of the season. Getting a leg up on the Pats will be tough because of the Jets' aforementioned brutal schedule. If they can't win the AFC East, their wild-card hopes will be even tougher as several AFC teams (Raiders, Jaguars) have improved and division races will tighten. There's a real chance the Jets could start off 1-5 and that's before they play New England twice.