Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 New York Jets

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New York Jets

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

*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.