LISTEN | 2021 Jets Schedule Breakdown (5/12)

the pandemic where we're at with the vaccinations. So last year, at this time, we were wondering if we were going to have an NFL season. Now as we approached one NFL season, we're thinking about having the Green and White Faithful back at MetLife Stadium. The season opens up on

the road. You mentioned the juicy storylines. Of course, the Jets started April by sending Sam Donald to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for three draft picks they and April by taking Zach Wilson at b y U. This will be Robert Sala's first game as head coach of the New York Jets. Yeah, I think that the storyline is an NFL intriguing storyline. I kind of like you ripped the band aid off when the Jets straight at Sam Donald, they knew that they were gonna see him this year,

although he was traded outside of the conference. Having a B week one, there's no time. Well, I guess you would say there's no time for the storyline to be built up. But you do have the preseason in training camp, and I'm sure that a lot of analysts when the schedule was released said, you know what, at a game that most people are gonna circle and talk about now

in May. But having a B week one, I think it's a Also when you think about where the Panthers finished last year they were draft they drafted in the top ten, number eight overall. I mean surprised on people by taking J. C. Horne. A lot of people thought they might still take a quarterback even after drafting for Sam after trading. Like matchups though, and generally speaking, I mean, it's not like the Jets are gonna face let's say,

like last year at Buffalo. Buffalo had a great season last year, and I would say that they are a better team than the Panthers. Yeah, well, listen, the Panthers do have a lot of talent to skill positions. I like what the Jets are gonna throw at San Donald Company,

and it's starting with that defensive line. Daniel Jeremiah said the other day that by the time this season has done, you're gonna be talking about Quentin Williams being the second best defensive tackle in football, with Aaron Donald having his own room. But the Jets got better up front, so they will be tough to contend with their in Week one because Carl Lawson on the outside, Sheldon Rankins joins the rotation on the inside, Vinny Curry gives you more

depth for the rotation at the opposite end position. So yeah, it's gonna be fascinating. You know, you never knew obviously before Schedule King came out, where was that NFL gonna put this one? You thought week one was always a possibility, though, Yeah, I mean I thought maybe Thursday Night had a possibility to just because you want that storyline in prime time. But I think Week one is prime time enough for

this storyline. And you know, there are a lot of familiar faces down in Carolina, but like Robby Anderson, Pat Alfly, Justin Burris, Trenton cannons on that roster as we speak. And then after Week one, the Jets open up at MetLife hopefully with fans in the stands. I know. Governor Phil Murphy said that he's expecting or the hope is to have close at MetLife Stadium. And then the Jets host the New England Patriots, who have had a just

a totally atypical New England Patriot off season. Yeah, because they spent a boatload and free agency and a lot of guys going in there. They addressed the tight end position, the linebacker position of former Jets defunts alignment actually ended up there and Henry Anderson and all by the way that they became the second team in the a f C East at a quarterback in round one. Mac Jones going to New England, it's anticipated. We anticipate Cam Newton

is going to be the guy in Week two. But the Jets get a crack at their old nemesis in week two. And speaking of the Patriots, they're gonna be done with the Patriots here early this season because the return matchup is October at Gilt Stadium. They will face that Patriots twice before facing the Buffalo Bills or the Miami Dolphins once. Yeah, and to that point, the Jets are done with the Patriots after week seven. Week seven is the return trip where the Jets go up to

Foxboro for the second match up there. But you know, if we were to look at let's say the first nine weeks of the season, the first eight games the Buys week six, by the way, I think what stands out is the strength of schedule because the Jets host the Titans week four, and then week nine they traveled to Indianapolis for Thursday night f ball. Those are the only two teams in the first nine weeks who made the playoffs in two thousand and twenty that the Jets

will face. Yeah. I wrote about this that six of the jets first seven opponents last year they had a combined record of thirty two sixty three and one to combine winning percentage of thirty three point three. So why is that relevant? Because the Jets are gonna have a learning curve, They have a new head coach and they're

installing new systems on both sides of the ball. They could have a rookie quarterback from the get Go week one and Zach Wilson, so there will be bumps along the way, but they're facing a lot of teams who are in similar situations where they didn't have stellar records last year and they want to build things themselves as well. Yeah,

I think, yeah, you're absolutely right. And also Week five I think will be you know, there's gonna be a lot of intrigue from Jets fans there because the Jets are gonna go overseas to take on the Anna Falcons. And we've talked about this. The Jets have eight road games, really seven right at a neutral site in being in London. Yeah, seventeen games for the first time in National Football League history. Nine home games this year, so get out to MetLife Stadium.

I think it's gonna be a raucous atmosphere because the Jets are building something big here. Uh. Eight road games, but I really think it's seven road games and one neutral site game because this game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week five in London in Tottenham, I think you're

probably gonna see more Green and White supporters overseas. And this is a cool thing, a great thing for Jets chairman Woody Johnson because most recently he served as the U S ambassador to both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. So now he's taking his team back there. And after the London game, the Jets have a bye which you know that that marries nicely because the Jets have a have travel, heavy travel, heavy travel. They play nine thirty

in the morning Eastern Standard time. They come back, they have the bye week, so things they get a little extra rest, and then we've talked about this, they play at New England and then they wrap up. That's late, but in that same breath to your point earlier, in the back half of the season, the Jets play Buffalo and Miami four times total. You're skipping ahead of the

back half. How about the return matchups? Are some of these guys you mentioned Tennessee, Yeah, alright, alright, I was gonna do the return matchups as like a whole at the end. No, I'll do that at no. But you're right about the n FC East. You know it's the Patriots flavor early and on the back half you have that game mat is a Thursday night prime time game.

I know you're gonna get to that against the Indianapolis Colts, but you have ten days to prepare for the Buffalo Bills week nine at Life Stadium or Game nine at Life Stadium, and then your tenth game is against the Miami Dolphins. So that's possibly setting up is a critical two game stretch inside a division where after you play the Colts, you get a chance to make your market inside the division and hopefully you at least gain a split with the Patriots early on. We'll have to see

what happens. And also the Jets wrap up at Buffalo. That's gonna be a really cold game that is the early part of January. But on the positive side of the ledger, the past couple of years, the Jets have been going down to Miami and the warmer climate, like you know, October early November. Now they get a December game at Miami, so that that'll be a nice little break for the Jets, you know, assuming it's cold up here and a little warmer down in South Florida. It's

always human down in South Florida. But yeah, break weatherwise. The other thing that stands out as far as the schedule down the stretch, not too many crazy cold weather games unless it's a home game where you don't mind if it's the New Orleans New Orleans Saints come in your place and Jags, Yeah, having to face you inside the elements per se, but going down to Miami late in a year, it can be awfully humid and hot in September, so you'll take that in December. But that

finishing stretches something else. If Tampa and Buffalo have UH reason to play all their starters throughout the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come in your place the second last game in the season, then going to Buffalo in Western New York. UH, the Bills thirteen and three last year undefeated inside the a FC East. There are teams will be reckoned with they are for certain. And you mentioned the Colts game, the lone primetime game

as it stands on this slate right now. I don't want to say I was surprised that was a Thursday night game, but I would not have selected I would not have guessed that that would have been the Thursday night games. You wouldn't keep what you originally said as far as you would not have selected it, will you you would not have selected it. I I don't understand the Thursday night intrigue between the Colts and the Jets.

I don't know if there's like a storyline there, and if you want like somewhat of a hook, why not do Jets Jacks Thursday night? Potentially the number one and number two overall picks going up against each other first time head coaches like Dad has a little more appeal to me than Colts Jets playoff team number two overall pick or you know, two and fourteen team last year. I don't understand it. You always can look at the quarterbacks right and and the Colts I think they potentially

have upgraded the quarterback position. Philip Rivers finishes out his career there, they trade for Carson Wentz. Uh. That roster is built up pretty well. Rex Hogan, the Jets assistant GM had a hand in building that roster. We're seeing the Jets do that right now with Joe Douglas and company at the helm. Uh, trying to build this thing up front. Of course, the Jets draft McKay backed in two thousand twenty. They come back this year. Uh, you know, let's not overlook the fact that the Jets had two

first round picks this year and they take Elijah Vera Tucker. So, uh, you know, didn't you write about this the other day, former or USC head coach Clay Helton has compared Elijah Vera Tucker to That article has not been posted on New York Jets dot com, but a little bit of sneak peaked there. Basically, he compared their versatility because he said, both of those guys are very good at guard on the interior and they can get you out of a pinch if you need either one of those guys to

play tackle. Of course, Elijah Vera Tucker played guard at USC before he kicked out to tackle. In two thousands twenty won the Morris Trophy award, which goes to the best Pack twelve offensive and defensive lineman as voted by the players in the conference. So the defensive players in the Pack twelve voted Elijah Vera Tucker as the best offensive lineman in the conference, which is cool. I know that's kind of off track there, but now he got

me going. So you were talking about the Colson Thursday nights. Do you think I like? I get it, okay, But do you consider the Colts the a f C self favorite or do you consider the Tennessee Titans, whom the Jets host early in the season. And I think that's a great question. Um. I would say the Colts right now, because I think the Titans lost some players where including Corey Davis, and they lost the Dory Jackson. I believe

they let go of Malcolm Butler. The Colts got Carson Wentz, who you know, we'll see what what Carson Wentz looks like after a questionable last season in Philadelphia. They just addressed the offensive line the other day, adding former Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher. Yeah, and that that offensive line has been good for a long time now. So and they got continuity from top to bottom. I mean I think that bottom here. Let's just circle back on the Thursday night.

You have a New York market, you have a draw on Robert Salam, you have potentially the number two overall pick in the draft, and you have a playoff team who could contend for the FC championship. If Zach Wilson starts that game, you're looking at two quarterbacks elected number

two overall, both wearing number two. If Zach Wilson in fact keeps number two, because I believe Carson Wentz is now number two in Philadelphia after not wearing two in Philadelphia, and then so let's move on here just looking at the rest of the slate, I mean, not like a whole lot of storylines, but the circle back what you talked about before when you talk about guys playing former

teams and whatnot, and the storylines there. Obviously, there's Sam Donald playing the Jets in week one, but then how about Carl Lawson playing the Bengals in Week eight, Corey Davis playing Tennessee in Week four. There's a lot of that too. Jeff Albrick, the Jets defensive coordinator, coaching against his former team last year in Week five in London. Yeah, a lot of connections there. At Corey Davis nearly a thousand yards receiving last season for the Titans. He considers

himself a number one receiver. He joins a wide receiver group that got a lot better this offseason, and New York Jets. And then on the other side of the ball for Tennessee, thinking about a j Brown, right, and the connections he has with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis. So that's that's a cool storyline. Carl Lawson, he disropted the cornerback as well as anybody in terms of hits and prussures last season. Now he's gonna be targeting Joey Burrow.

Did the Cincinnati Bengals do enough to address their offensive line? Remember Burrow went down early last season. You know Lawson will be amped for that game. You mentioned Jeff Albrick, who was calling to defensive shots for the Atlanta Falcons down the stretch last year. Did a great job. Raheem Morris was interim head coach. But I think all Brick really made his mark. He'll be contending with a group that includes Matt Ryan, Julio Jones if he's still there

by the time the season starts. Kelvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts the number four overall selection and the draft taking two spots after Zack Wilson. Also Vinny Curry against the Eagles like that one. Uh. Obviously Tom Brady against the Jets. Let me tell you something about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They've never won a road game at the Jets ever. Well, I think Jets fans are crossing their fingers that remains

that record remains perfect. And also, the Jets have never beaten the Philadelphia Eagles, who was added as the ninth home game, and now that is Week thirteen, so the Jets will host the Philadelphia Eagles old games seventeen. Alright, so let's do something different here. Let's do early thoughts on each game. Run them down quick, Oh wow quick? All right. Yeah, we're gonna have to rip through these. So you wanna start Week one, alright? Week one, Jets

at Carolina. Everybody's gonna be talking about the quarterbacks, but you're gonna have to contain Christian McCaffrey, who is one of the top offensive talents in all football, and also Robby Anderson and DJ More. They add Terroris Marshall, and I think the Jets can give you some problems up front with what they're doing on the defensive side of

the ball, and then on the opposite side. It's the first time we'll get a chance to see Mike la Fleur at the helm calling offensive shots for the first time. And I think Carolina's defense we'll see home against New England Patriots. Fascinating off season, one of the most intriguing off seasons all throughout the National Football League. Bill Belichick has said this is Cam Newton is the starting quarterback

of the New England Patriots. With that being said, I think the environment and Life Stadium is gonna be off, especially if the Jets are able to squeak out a win in Week one against the Panthers. I think MetLife will be rocking week two. Then the Jets head out west to take on the Broncos in Week three. Bronco's interesting tim took Patrick certain Uh Alabama cornerback of one of the top defensive players in the entire draft class. They have a lot of pieces there gonna be riding

for Drew lock or is it or is it Teddy Bridgewater? Well, I don't know. I think that's part of the question. I mean, I think whoever's name started week one will be started week three, assuming there's no injury. But I think you know that Denver's got some interesting pieces on the outside. They drafted Javonte Williams. You will have a nice Javonte Williams. Michael Carter, Uh, Hello, I guess whatever

you wanna call it. But they'll be playing against each other for the first time ever because they played with each other for many years down in North Carolina, and the Jets got numbers and offensive backfield. Like you mentioned, Michael Carter, you know you look about the production that both him and Jamante had at the college level that was really something else. But uh, the Jets going a mile high, they're gonna have to make sure they get their air UM four or five kickoff there early in

the season Eastern time, right, yep. And then Week four the Jets host the Titans. My first thought is, what's that offense gonna look like without Arthur Smith? Yeah, you know, but for me, it starts with Derrick Henry. You know, Ryan Tannehill has been awfully productive, but you're taking Corey Davis out of the equation. Corey Davis now a New York Jet, he will be amped for this game. Uh. You know, if you can contain Henry, then I think you can settle in and get after Tannehill and company.

On the other side of the ball. Um, They've got some changes over there, but it's gonna be interesting to see, Uh the Jets match up with his team. For my mom any Tennessee has always been one of the most physical ball clubs in the National Football League. Yeah, I agree with that. And then Week five the Jets at Atlanta technically, but it's really a neutral site game in London Tottenham. That's gonna be so cool. A great experience.

Who's gonna handle that better? Going overseas, going overseas, going across the pond Atlanta. You mentioned Arthur Smith before. What's gonna happen Mett Ryan this season? They still got a lot of weapons there in Atlanta. I like that all Prig has got a lot of intel on those guys. I can't wait to see his game plan for them. Yeah. I think the defense also another question mark. What's that gonna look like this year? But then the Jets have the buy in Week six, then they go to New

England in week seven. I mean, we talked about New England, so I'm just gonna keep going here. Week eight, the Jets host the Bengals. Joey Burrow Company coming here. Jamaar Chase, great receiver. Uh, you know, what are the Jets gonna do upfront with that new four three h uh defensive look?

And then on the other side of the ball. You know, I think this will be a point of the season where you're kind of getting a feel for what the Jets are offensively because it's that new system under the Fleur and they're gonna try to run the football and use the boots and get the quarterback out of the rollouts and try to attack you down the field. I think the Jets have gotten so much better at receiver.

Not sound like a broken record, but you like what you've seen out of Elijah Moore and that really small sample size. These explosive player Corey Davis, Key Link Cole and you do have talent at the skill positions right now. Yeah, And I think that for the Bengals defense, they lost William Jackson, so I think that I think the Jets could take advantage of that defense, and I think the Jets defensive front could take advantage of the Bengals offensive

line as it currently stands. Then Week nine, I mean, we talked about this at Indianapolis. Sure week, how you're gonna deal with it, right, I think that's basically what it comes down to. Their And then the Jets host the Bills for the first time in the season Week ten, first matchup, and just like how you're gonna deal with the short week, the Jets now have ten days to prepare for the a f C Each Champs. Yeah, and that's nice and nice little break um after that game

with the Colts and the Bills. What they addressed in the offseason that stood out was they resigned a lot of their guys and then they went defensive line because they want to be able to get after guys like Patrick Mahomes and company. So how can that Jets new look offensive line? I say new look because you're adding a big piece of equation. Elijah Vera Tucker deal with what the Bills are gonna try to bring up front.

And then the Jets host the Dolphins. And the one thing I'll say about the Dolphins before you give your two cents, is I know that they were had a good record last year. They had a Jalen Waddle too, you know, should be a better quarterback in his second season. That defense let go of a lot of key pieces, Kyle van Noy, Bobby McCaine. I mean, they let go of some good players and some captains on that team. Man.

I know Brian Flores got some tricks up his sleeve, but I got some questions, how's that defense gonna look fair? But they are very good at the cornerback position, and perhaps they got the top pass rushing talent and an entire draft class and Jayalen Phillips. Yeah, yeah, a good point. So we'll see what that defense looks like because they did some shuffling as well. Then the Jets go and play at the Texans week twelve. Jordan Jenkins now on that team, Terrence Brooks, a couple of former Jets. I

don't really know what to make of the Texans. I mean, it just feels like they made a lot of free agency moves. Obviously, the big question is who's playing quarterback for them? Is it Tyrod Taylor is it? Or is it Stanford's Davis Mills? Davis Mills. So they just selected in the draft. Uh, yeah, they have some issues to deal with because everybody's watching the Shawn Watson um dealings unfold here and we don't know what's gonna happen with that. But right now, Uh, the Houston Texans are a team

that very much in transition. And would it surprise you at all if Houston was one of those teams we're talking about potentially could have the top overall draft pick next year, No, it would not be surprising. And then Week thirteen, the Jets played the Eagles, and I think with the Eagles, obviously there are a lot of questions going into the season, but it seems like the riding with Jalen Hurts. But also by week thirteen, I think you'll know you'll have your answer with Jalen Hurts one

way or another. Wouldn't you say that's fair? I'd agree with that. And how about the little divisional trade in round one of the draft? Is the Eagles get Davante Smith? Huh? Yeah, that's true too, so, uh, we'll see the former Heisman Trophy winner. And the Jets addressed a cornerback position on Day three of the draft that got a lot of youth at that position. Um, and the Eagles took Landon Dickerson to fortify the line up in round two. Yeah, no doubt about that. So yeah, they've got some changes

in changing pieces. Uh. I don't know where the Eagles are at right now. Yeah, I think me neither neither. I could see it going either way. And and I mean you talked about question marks at quarterback in New Orleans Saints come to town? Is it Jamis is it Taysom? Could we have a b y U B y u quarterback matchup? I wonder how many times in history in NFL history that's happened where you've had two starting quarterbacks both be by you guys. Yeah, well, it certainly could

be Hill and it certainly could be Jamis. And even if it is Jamis, Hill is gonna take snaps at the quarterback position, so you have to be prepared for that. I do think people might be overlooking the Saints a little bit. Yes, Drew Brees was as good as they come at the quarterback position. What a career he had. I just think the coach is so good there, Sean Payton, and he always seems to get things done. You can talk about, oh, maybe they've st going to the playoffs

on occasion and stuff like that. You can't debate this guy's record what he's done over the years. But yeah, they're starting a new era there and the defense is pretty good. People will see what happens with Marshawn Lattimore. I know he was he was facing charges. They lost Trey Hendrickson. But Michael Thomas, if he's a hundred percent healthy, I mean he wasn't last year, and the saying still did pretty well without him. To Barrio Davis has become

you know, what a career he's had. Former New York Jet and for me, one of the top storylines that I'm looking at for the Jets is how is this all going on? Folded? Linebacker? Got Jared Davis here, c J. Moseley hopefully returning Blake Cashman, and then you address the linebacker position taking a couple of former box safeties in Jamie and Sherwood and hamsa N Dean. That's right, Yeah, So how how much can those guys contribute in year one and will they be playing big roles for the

Jets against the sat Right. Also, I mean, I think we often don't talk about Blake Cashman because he's been hurt the past two years, but someone that I think would fit the system well if he's fully healthy, because he's got that spece and Mosley is an awfully good football player. We forget that because we haven't seen much of them. But C J. Molesley could be a difference maker. Absolutely. I think I think he's kind of a you know, he's a wild card. Week sixteen, the Jets host of

Jacksonville Jaguars. The obvious storyline here is number one and number two Trevor Lawrence and Zack Wilson. But also it feels like the Jets and the Jaguars kind of married with their paths. First year head coach, first year head coach, quarterback, quarterback. Both had a lot of money to spend in the

off season, both had a lot of draft capital. So I think that what I like about this and having them week sixteen is that you kind of know what they're gonna be thrown at you, whereas if you played them early in the year, you don't really know what urban Meyer is gonna want to do on either side

of the ball there. Yeah, you know, and he's gonna be one of the top storylines that people are gonna track throughout the two thousand twenty one season is how has one of the top college coaches in history of the game make the transition to the National Football League. Obviously, you thought this was a very unique opportunity going there and get the number one pick, a special prospect and Trevor Lawrence. Um, yeah, I said, I see some parallels here. Um,

but well, to see what happens again. Robert Sala used to be an assistant coach there in Jacksonville. So much has changed since then. You know, I'm curious of your thoughts before we wrap up here, one more opponent. I saw something about, you know, I think it's Bleacher Report tweeted about Trevor Lawrence's supporting cast James Robinson, Travis E, TN, DJ Shark, Levisca, Channal, Marvin Jones Jr. And now it seems like Tim Tebow will be joining the fold there.

So what do you think about Lawrence's supporting cast versus let's say Wilson supporting cast. I think people have a stigma attached to the Jets. Is simul Jets? Well it's not simule Jets. Um. Are the Jets gonna be one of the most prolific offenses in football next year? I wouldn't say that, but we talked about Michael Carter before, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, LA, Michael p Ryan, Josh Adams. How is that running back by committee going to shake

out tight end position? What is Chris Herndon going to look like in this system wide receiver? I'm gonna bang the drama on that until we get to Week one because the people are sleeping on the Jets receivers. Dunsl Memsy flashed last year. What is he gonna become when he has a full off season under his bout. We'll have to see. Corey Davis has a proven commodity in the National Football League. Jameson Crowder would have been a thousand yard receiver last year had he not gotten injured.

Keelan Cole was one of the Jacksonville Jaguars most productive players. There then Elijah More, most people think that he was a top first round talent, top half or second half of the first round talent. He was the most productive receiver in the best conference in college football that had the trophy winner. That's right. So Elijah More enters the Fray as well. So I do like the Jets and as far as what they're doing at the skill positions,

and they're not done. But I would not you asked me the question, I wouldn't think that, Oh, Trevor Lawrence has a far different starting point than what Zack Wilson does. No, I do think the one the one thing with the Jaguars. I think that DJ Shark gets a little overlooked. I think he's a He's a good player, but very good, very good player. But I'm just looking at his totality. Yeah, I agree. I agree with everything you said. And then you know, it's almost fitting that the Jets end the

season at Buffalo. But we've discussed Buffalo, So it's only fitting that we end Tom Brady returning to MetLife Stadium, and he has a very good record against the Jets. I mean, he's the only team he's beat more than the Jets is the Buffalo Bills, who, of course the Buccaneers will face because they played the ANFC East. It's

so hard to repeat. You mentioned it to me when I looked at that final four games, and I said, wow, that's a tough finishing kick those final two games, and you said, well, what are the Buccaneers and the Bill is going to be playing for at that point? Could Tampa Bay runaway with the NFC self? Potentially? On paper it sets up like that. We don't know what's gonna happen as far as injuries and things like that, but

they are an overwhelming favorite. A lot of people think they could be playing for the super Bowl once again this year, whereas last year people thought, oh the Jets, but can years are gonna get their feet while Tom Pratty of course, then win the championship. Uh, I think the Bills are gonna have a tougher road, but we'll have to see what happens. But if both those teams are playing for a lot of things down the stretch. That's as tough as a final two games as you

will find. I've looked at all thirty two teams schedules, but nobody's gonna have as tough as those final two games as New York Jets. Yeah. I agree with that, and that is a perfect way to end this edition of the Official Jet Podcast. The Jets two thousand one schedule release, presented by Jeff Lilli