The year 2020 has had many uncertainties. However, we do know that there will be Jets football in 2020. Unfortunately, it will be without spectators in attendance as per Governor Murphy’s laws. Last season the Jets finished with a record of 7-9 and while many others like myself expected them to make a push towards the playoffs it is remarkable how they got to 7-9. The first half of the season was brutal due to Darnold going down with mono and lack of communication between Darnold and Gase. The second half of the season was much better due to improved communication and excellent plays by the defense.
This season though, in order for the Jets to make the playoffs, Darnold will need to take the next step and the team cannot afford significant injuries. One problem that could arise is the fact that there were no preseason game to evaluate which guys truly are the best on the 53-man roster. Other teams like the Jets will likely take a few weeks to get the ball rolling.
Now for the predictions:
Week 1: @ Buffalo Bills: In Darnold’s past two seasons at Orchard Park, he is 2-0. Yes Josh Allen and the Bills made the playoffs last season but they had a relatively soft schedule. The moment they went up against a good team like the Houston Texans in the wild card game, the Bills ultimately choked. During last year’s campaign, the Jets defense got better and better each week and collectively found ways to protect 4th quarter leads. That will be the case up in Buffalo as this game is an early tone setter. Jets 27, Bills 24 (1-0).
Week 2: vs. 49ers: The defending NFC Champions will make their trip to MetLife Stadium for the Jets home opener. Even without the likes of Deebo Samuel, the 49ers are still lightyears better than the Jets. This showing won’t be a 34-0 loss like it was back in 2012 but still a game that the 49ers will pull out late. 49ers 34, Jets 27 (1-1).
Week 3: @ Indianapolis Colts: The Jets will head to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on Phillip Rivers and the Colts. After an epic back and forth shootout, the Jets defense will create necessary turnovers which will end up deciding the game for the Jets. Jets 28, Colts 27 (2-1).
Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos (TNF): What an epic Thursday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. Two young quarterbacks in Lock and Darnold will match up for the whole country to see. Darnold will have no problem going deep for his receivers while the Jets defense will harass Drew Lock all night long. This could be a blowout. Jets 30, Broncos 8 (3-1).
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals: The Jets defense will have their hands full with trying to contain Kyler Murray. Just as long as they make sure Murray isn’t running wild and they aren’t getting burned by newly acquired DeAndre Hopkins, Darnold and the offense should be able to put up enough points. This time they will be ready and cannot afford such a letdown if they want to be in the conversation come December. Jets 27, Cardinals 21 (4-1).
Week 6: @ Los Angeles Chargers: The Jets will play the Chargers for the first time out in LA. This game could go either way for the Jets. It all depends on who the Chargers have in at quarterback. If it is Tyrod Taylor, the Jets defense could have their hands full due to his running ability and a west coast trip. On the other hand, if it is Justin Herbert, he throws a lot of interceptions and the Jets defense will have no problem capitalizing on his mistakes. For the sake of this pick though, I’m going to be realistic in that the Jets will be very tired from making the trip out to the west coast. Chargers 16, Jets 10 (4-2).
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills: These two team look to be going at it for the AFC East Division Title. While Josh Allen appeared to have figured out what went wrong in his last game against New York, Darnold is able to prove he is the better quarterback by engineering a game-winning drive within the final two minutes of the ball game. Jets 34, Bills 30 (5-2).
Week 8: @ Kansas City Chiefs: A win in this game would prove that the Jets are the team to beat in the AFC. Think again, the Jets are going up against the Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes and the powerhouse Chiefs. During last season’s playoff run, Mahomes has led some unbelievable comebacks. That won’t even be necessary for this one as the Jets fall behind early and never catch up. Chiefs 42, Jets 20 (5-3).
Week 9: vs. New England Patriots (MNF): The good news is that Tom Brady is no longer in the AFC East. The bad news is the Patriots have signed Cam Newton on a 1-year deal. This means he will probably be playing like there is no tomorrow. However, the Jets are very angry about getting blown out by the Chiefs and remembered that Darnold saw ghosts last time playing New England on Monday Night. The Jets get massive payback here. Jets 30, Patriots 23 (6-3).
Week 10: @ Miami Dolphins: What do the Jets always do after a big win? The answer is lay an egg the following week and what better team to stick it to them then their bitter division foe, the Miami Dolphins. This could be Ryan Fitzpatrick’s final game as starting quarterback for Miami as Tua Tagovailoa is progressing very nicely. He’ll surely want to go out with a bang. Dolphins 31, Jets 23 (6-4).
Week 11: Bye Week
Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins: No this is not a joke, the Jets play the Dolphins back to back in 2020 and they both have the same bye week. Tua Tagovailoa will make his first start ever in the NFL and the Jets will absolutely embarrass him and get massive payback for their Week 10 letdown. Jets 41, Dolphins 14 (7-4).
Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders: Last year, the Jets embarrassed the Raiders last time they came to MetLife Stadium. While the score may not be 34-3 this year, the Jets will still be able to win and the Raiders will continue their streak of not winning in the Meadowlands since 1996 (that abysmal year). Jets 27, Raiders 20 (8-4).
Week 14: @ Seattle Seahawks: This might be the toughest game on the Jets schedule. Not only do they have to make their second trip out to the west coast but they must face the elite Russell Wilson. In addition, Jamal Adams will want nothing better than to damage the Jets playoff chances. Wilson will be able to consistently take deep shots down the field and burn the Jets secondary all afternoon while Adams will remind the Jets and their fans that they should have given him that massive contract. Seahawks 31, Jets 13 (8-5).
Week 15: @ Los Angeles Rams: Since being the defending NFC Champions in 2018, the Rams have progressively gone downhill. This will continue to be the case in 2020. If the Jets are wise, they will stay out west and do their necessary practice out there to get ready for the Rams. This game could be flexed into primetime. The Jets are more than capable of pulling off this upset. With this win, the Jets will have their first winning season since 2015. Jets 30, Rams 23 (9-5).
Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns: While Christmas may be over, the Jets will deliver one last present to their fans. They are finally able to beat Baker Mayfield and the Browns. Like the Jets, the Browns too hope to be playing meaningful games in December. The Browns playoff hopes take a big hit here as the Jets win in overtime and it could very well be available for the whole country to see as this game too could be flexed into primetime. Not only could it be in primetime but this win could ensure that the Jets win the AFC East for the first time since 2002. Jets 26, Browns 20 (OT) (10-5).
Week 17: @ New England Patriots: Bill Belichick and the Patriots will never let the Jets sweep them in a season, especially if it means playing spoiler to one’s playoff hopes. Like the Week 9 matchup on Monday Night, this one will feature a back and forth affair in which Cam Newton is able to lead the game-winning drive, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Jets fans. Patriots 36, Jets 33 (10-6).
At 10-6, this should be good enough to get the Jets into the playoffs especially now with 7 teams being able to get in. But as Jets fans we must remember, stranger things have happened such as the 2008 Patriots who went 11-5 did not reach the playoffs. We must always remember the sad reality. In order for Adam Gase to keep his job, I think the Jets must win at least 8 games. I am not sure how ownership feels but if they are worse than 8-8 and Darnold doesn’t take the next step, then there is no reason why Gase should be back in 2021. Remember these are just predictions, games are played on the field. Get excited for the season Jets fans…the road begins today.
-Jack Henry Cicio
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