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

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

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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.

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