On Tuesday, the NFL released the schedule for the 2012 season for all teams. Looking at the schedule you will realize that the New York Jets will face their hardest opponents in the first half of the season including their AFC division rivals as well. Not only will the Jets face the Bills, Dolphins, and pats; They will also have to see the likes of the 49ers, Texans, and Steelers. There is no doubt the Jets will have their hands filled with these opponents. With that being said, the Jets will definitely need to come out the gates swinging, especially against their division opponents. Let’s breakdown each week to address the concerns, predictions, and keys to winning this season that the Jets must address. Please keep in mind this is based on current team rosters and future injuries that can affect the outcome and predictions.

Week 1 –

Buffalo Bills (home): This game is going to be more important than people realize. Not only does winning the first game of the season set the tone for the rest of the season, it also shows how the team’s chemistry will flow. The Bills just signed Mario Williams. This could be the beginning of the end for the Jets if we do not address our offensive line problems. Williams will make it a long day for Sanchez if his O-line protected him like they did last year. I am curious to see how the Jets will face this issue in the draft. The Jets must face another issue in that of Stevie Johnson. Sure the last time we faced Johnson we were lucky enough that he dropped some critical passes that could’ve cost us the game, but I believe we won’t be that lucky twice. I must be honest, Revis had problems covering Johson all game. Johnson had Revis and the safeties beat a few times. With that being said, we have to pray that Laron Landry can be healthy enough to make it past training camp so that he can assist with Johnson come week one. The Jets also gotta pray that Ryan Fitzpatrick does not start off hot like he did last year.

via Associated Press

Week 2 –

Pittsburgh Steelers (away): No one wants this rematch to happen more than myself. Last time these two teams met, it was the AFC Championship game two years ago. Unfortunately I was there to witness this game. Nothing would bring me more pleasure than for the Jets to win in Heinz field so that they can shut up some of the most obnoxious fans in the NFL. This game the Jets will have to come find a way to score early on the heavy defensive Steelers. This game also will lay a big responsibility on the secondary (assuming Mike Wallace gets his contract). Mike Wallace is probably the quickest receiver in the whole NFL. This means we are going to rely on our safeties to back up our corners in covering Wallace. Even with Revis, Wallace will burn our secondary if we our safeties cannot help out our corners.

Week 3 –

Miami Dolphins (away):  I know you can never say “oh that’s an easy win” whenever the Jets play the Dolphins, but I feel this SHOULD be an easy win for the Jets. A big reason why is because Brandon Marshall is no longer with the team. I highly doubt the Jets will have problems shutting down both Devon Besse and Legedu Naanee. I don’t see Matt Moore Or David Garrard exploiting our secondary with these receivers. The Dolphins only real threat is Reggie Bush which doesn’t really say much about their attack. With the exit of Yeremiah Bell, I don’t foresee Sanchez having problems hitting his receivers down field.

Image via Marc Serota/Getty Images North America

Week 4 –

San Francisco 49ers (home): Ok this is a game where Tony Sporano and Timmy Tebow will have to work their magic. San Francisco’s defense last year was lights out. The Jets are gonna have to pull some trickery in order to score on the niners. Who better than to pull some trickery than Timmy Tebow himself. I feel confident that the Jets defense will hold up in this game. Even with the signing of Randy Moss and last year’s career year of Alex Smith, I think the Jets will be able to contain their offense. I know everyone probably remembers the last time Revis covered Randy Moss that Moss had scored on Revis and then Revis happened to go down with a leg injury, but I don’t think this will be the case this time around. Keep in mind Moss is two years older since last time they meant, and Moss did not play at all last year. His age will come into factor as he will probably lost a step or two which should make this all the easier for Revis.

Week 5 –

Houston Texans (home): This is the Jets first MNF game of the year. This matchup should bring in a lot of ratings being that it should be a good one. The Jets have to bring their A game on both sides of the ball. Houston is talented on both offense and defense. The Jets defense will not only have to focus their defense on star receiver Andre Johnson, they will also have to worry about Houston’s running game in star running back Arian Foster. The last time these two teams met, the Jets pulled out a last minute comeback win. Besides playing the Pats, this will be the Jets toughest opponent this upcoming season.

Week 6 –

Indianapolis Colts (home): I consider this a much needed breather game for the Jets. The only sure thing about the Colts that the Jets need to worry about this coming year is the threat of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. These two will have a field day with our offensive line if our issues are not addressed. Besides these two monsters on defense, I don’t foresee our air attack having much problems as the Colt’s secondary is still in need of much help. I don’t see our defense having much problems shutting down Indy’s rush and passing attack unless Andrew Luck lives up to the hype behind his name in the NFL.

Week 7 –

New England Patriots (away): We’re going to need to steal a page out of the Pat’s playbook here and score early and as often as possible. I know Wes Welker has yet to sign the tender to his franchise tag, but I don’t forsee him not playing as a Pat this season. With that being said, adding Brandon Lloyd to the already dangerous trio of Brady, Welker, and Gronkowski will be any secondary’s worst nightmare. Let’s also pray that we do not see the New England defense of this last year’s playoffs.

Stay tuned for Parts 2 & 3 of the New York Jets 2012 NFL Schedule analysis!

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