The Jets have been bad for a long time. And it’s probably a little unreasonable to think that new coach new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey can turn it around immediately, even if they have already shown signs that they do things differently than their predecessors.
The Jets have given up more talent than they’ve gained since the start of the offseason. But they still have the key pieces from their core to build around, and that gives them the potential to be a surprise in 2025.
Which is why we decided to go through their schedule (which was leaked before Wednesday night’s official announcement) and pick every game
For now, of course, they’re under the radar. Aaron Rodgers is gone and Justin Fields is in. And the Jets, who played six standalone games in the first nine weeks last season (including five in primetime), have only two primetime games and third standalone game in London.
So how will the Jets fare in year 1 under the new regime? You could wait six months to find out, or read our sure-to-go right predictions now.
So here they are, our game-by-game picks for the 2025 Jets season.
Week 1: vs. Steelers
Sunday, Sept. 7, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: The Steelers will have a new quarterback, and all signs point to it being Aaron Rodgers and a hugely compelling matchup. But no matter who the quarterback is, it will be a new one. And as the Jets have learned in recent years, it takes time to adjust. The Jets will have an easier adjustment with Fields able to lean on the run and it’s enough to get them a sweet first victory for Glenn.
Pick: Jets 21, Steelers 17 (Record: 1-0)
Week 2: vs. Bills
Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: The Bills are more talented than the Jets and confident after another deep playoff run. And after struggling with the Jets’ previous defense under Jeff Ulbrich (especially in the first half of the season) Allen is due for a big game, and will deliver a reminder of why the Bills are the heavy favorite in the AFC East)
Pick: Bills 30, Jets 10 (Record: 1-1)
Week 3: at Bucs
Sunday, Sept 21, 1 p.m., FOX
Breakdown: With questions on the Jets’ defensive line (outside of Quinnen Williams) this game will come down to their ability to put pressure on Baker Mayfield. Even if Jermaine Johnson is back on the field, it would be hard to expect him at 100% this early in the season – and with the Bucs o-line able to key in on Williams and Will McDonald, Mayfield should have enough time to make the Jets pay.
Pick: Bucs 24, Jets 17 (Record: 1-2)
Week 4: at Dolphins
Monday, Sept. 29, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Breakdown: After the Bills the division is wide open, and while the Dolphins might have bigger names the Jets aren’t as far behind in the talent as you might think. Plus, the Jets haven’t won a regular season game in Miami since 2014. They are due and they’ll pick up the win to pull even for September.
Pick: Jets 24, Dolphins 20 (Record: 2-2)
Week 5: vs. Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 5, 1 p.m., FOX
Breakdown: It’s a high-profile game anytime the Cowboys come into town. The Jets will be ready and confident against a Dallas team that is adjusting to its own coaching and roster changes. But Dallas has the better quarterback and better weapons (on both sides of the ball), and in the end it’s enough to help them squeak past the Jets in a thriller.
Pick: Cowboys 28, Jets 27 (Record: 2-3)
Week 6: vs. Broncos (London)
Sunday, Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Breakdown: The Jets are due for their first win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (in their third try), and anyone on the team from last year will be looking for some payback after the Jets squandered a chance to beat the Broncos in an ugly loss that started their death spiral. But this is where the Jets’ shortage of proven weapons will likely hurt them with Pat Surtain, the league’s top corner, going head-to-head with Garrett Wilson. The Jets find a way to keep it close but can’t get the late score they need.
Pick: Broncos 20, Jets 17 (Record: 2-4)
Week 7: vs. Panthers
Sunday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m., FOX
Breakdown: This won’t be the easy game that many view it as, as the Panthers showed signs of life late last season with significant offensive improvements as they finished the season 4-5 with only two losses by more than six points in that game. But the Jets have a big day against the Panthers vulnerable defense and it’s enough to get them within a game of .500 heading into the final weekend of October.
Pick: Jets 31, Panthers 27 (Record: 3-4)
Week 8: at Bengals
Sunday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m, CBS
Breakdown: The Bengals weren’t a playoff team last year, but they played like one with five straight wins to end the season and finish 9-8. And there’s every reason to think that will continue with both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase under contract long-term alongside Joe Burrow. It’ll be too much for a Jets defense still trying to find its footing, as they wrap up the first stretch of the season with a reminder that they’re a work in progress.
Pick: Bengals 33, Jets 20 (Record: 3-5)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: vs. Browns
Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: The Browns are expected to be better in 2024 as they’re no longer saddled to Deshaun Watson at quarterback and pulled out their checkbook to convince Myles Garrett to stay. But we’re not sold on their weapons or any of the many options at quarterback. This will come down to not letting Garrett break the game, and the Jets are able to limit the destruction enough to return from the bye with a win.
Pick: Jets 17, Browns 11 (Record: 4-5)
Week 11: at Patriots
Thursday, Nov. 13, Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.
Breakdown: This will be the first chapter of what should be a fascinating rivalry between two former players turned coaches. Mike Vrable’s Patriots and Glenn’s Jets should be close to evenly matched. But the Patriots were aggressive in adding talent this offseason, the Jets were not. And it’s the difference on this night as the Jets miss another midseason chance to get back to .500.
Pick: Patriots 24, Jets 21 (Record: 4-6)
Week 12: at Ravens
Sunday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: Baltimore might be the most complete team on the Jets’ schedule. And they’ll likely certainly be in the thick of the playoff chase when the Jets arrive in late November. It should be a fascinating matchup with Fields, No. 2 on the all-time list for most QB rushing yards in a single season, playing on the same field as the all-time single-season leader, Lamar Jackson. But the Ravens’ consistency on both sides of the ball will make it tough for the Jets to win with anyting less than a perfect game.
Pick: Ravens 25, Jets 15 (Record: 4-7)
Week 13: vs. Falcons
Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m., FOX
Breakdown: The Falcons could be at a crossroads by the time they arrive at MetLife Stadium on the final day of November if Michael Penix, Jr., hasn’t played well through the first 12 weeks of the season. The Jets will be desperate for their first win since Week 10 and a chance to keep their playoff hopes realistic. They find a way to get it done and keep hope alive.
Pick: Jets 20, Falcons 17 (Record: 5-7)
Week 14: vs. Dolphins
Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: December games against the Dolphins usually reveal who the Jets are. And while this one isn’t in Miami, it’s no less revealing or painful for Jets fans. It will be painful because with a win, and a seemingly favorable schedule, this could have been a launching pad toward finally ending the 14-season playoff drought. But the Jets aren’t quite ready and once again the Dolphins reveal it.
Pick: Dolphins 21, Jets 13 (Record: 5-8)
Week 15: at Jaguars
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m., CBSBreakdown: It’s easy to look at the Jaguars struggles of a year ago and forget that they still have most of the core in place from the teams that won nine games in 2022 and 2023. Plus, they got a major infusion of talent this offseason – starting with No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter. By the time we get here the Jaguars very well may be a division contender and they had the Jets the loss that guarantees their 10th straight losing season.
Pick: Jaguars 24, Jets 19 (Record: 5-9)
Week 16: at Saints
Sunday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m., CBS
Breakdown: With the Jets out of playoff contention, some in their fan base will be frustrated by this win in New Orleans. But the Jets are simply the better team – especially now, with the Saints’ quarterback situation a toss-up after the retirement of Derek Carr.
Pick: Jets 31, Saints 20 (Record: 6-9)
Week 17: vs. Patriots
Sunday, Dec. 28, 1 p.m., CBSBreakdown: Again, it’s not a result that will thrill Jets fans hoping for the best possible pick. But they’ll be wanting to send a message to the Patriots after a frustrating loss in Foxborough early in the season. The Jets have a recent history of playing well against the Patriots at home and it continues in their final home game of 2025.
Pick: Jets 24, Patriots 14 (Record: 7-9)
Week 18: at Bills
Saturday, Jan. 3 or Sunday, Jan 4, TBD
Breakdown: There are so many external factors that could change the entire calculus of this game, but especially these two: the standings and the weather. We’ll assume the weather will be iffy and the Bills will still have something to play for. And that adds up to a season-ending loss for the Jets in the final regular season game before Buffalo opens its new stadium in 2026.
Pick: Bills 30, Jets 21
FINAL RECORD: 7-10
The Jets don’t need to end their playoff drought in Year 1 of the new regime. But they need to prove they can compete and win some games, setting themselves up to be a contender with several key players in their prime, in 2026. If they can finish 7-10, it will get the job done. Many have far worse expectations for the Jets, and with their toughest stretch of the schedule early they might struggle and never recover. But we think the changes in the coaching staff gives them the structure and confidence to win games they shouldn’t instead of losing games they should win.
The Jets are listed at -140 onFanDuelto win over 5.5 games next season. OurFanDuel Sportsbook reviewshows you how to sign up and use their app.
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Andy Vasquez may be reached atavasquez@njadvancemedia.com.