The New York Jets full schedule for the 2016 NFL season has officially been released. What’s it looking like for Todd Bowles and company?
By Matt Barbato
There’s still plenty of offseason remaining, but the NFL provided a glimpse into next season by releasing the entire 2016 schedule Thursday evening.
Here’s a breakdown of the New York Jets entire 2016 schedule, featuring the opponent, date/time and the opponent’s record last season. Primetime games are noted in italics.
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4), Sun., Sep. 11, 1 p.m. ET
It will be the seventh straight season the Jets have started the season at home. They are 5-1 in the past six season openers at home and have won their last five.
Week 2: at Buffalo Bills (8-8), Thurs., Sep. 15. 8:25 p.m. ET
The Jets will renew their bad blood with Rex Ryan much earlier this season. But a Thursday night game in Week 2 isn’t ideal.
Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs (11-5), Sun., Sep. 25, 1 p.m. ET
The Chiefs will be extremely tough to beat at Arrowhead Stadium, but the Jets will have 10 days to prepare.
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks (10-6), Sun., Oct. 2, 1 p.m. ET
This game could be a defensive showdown, but the Jets will have a major advantage with the Seahawks having to come to New York for an early kickoff.
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Sun., Oct. 9, 1 p.m. ET
Darrelle Revis vs. Antonio Brown should be a fun matchup, but the Jets have dropped two straight games at Heinz Field.
Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals (13-3), Mon., Oct. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Jets close out a brutal stretch of six straight opponents who finished .500 or better last season with quite possibly their stiffest test of them all. Todd Bowles will coach against his mentor, Bruce Arians, for the first time in primetime.
IT'S HERE.
Our complete 2016 schedule!
MORE >> https://t.co/VKMqmX9tHq pic.twitter.com/kiRXhO92F8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 14, 2016
Week 7: Baltimore Ravens (5-11), Sun., Oct. 23, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets will technically face one of the worst teams in the league from a season ago, but don’t let last season’s results mislead you. The Ravens were battered with injuries and should be better in 2016.
Week 8: at Cleveland Browns (3-13), Sun., Oct. 30, 1 p.m. ET
New York’s first “easy” opponent will be the rebuilding Browns.
Week 9: at Miami Dolphins (6-10), Sun., Nov. 6, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets and Phins renew their rivalry at the midway point in Miami.
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Rams (7-9), Sun., Nov. 13, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets will see the new-look Rams and No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft right before their bye week.
Week 11: BYE WEEK
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots (12-4) Sun., Nov. 27, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Jets and Patriots will square off for the first time in 2016 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-8), Mon., Dec. 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
An odd scheduling quirk: The Jets will host primetime games in consecutive weeks. This will be the second year in a row the Jets and Colts will square off on Monday Night Football.
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers (5-11), Sun., Dec. 11, 4:05 p.m. ET
The only late Sunday game for Gang Green will take place in San Francisco against Chip Kelly’s 49ers.
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins (6-10), Sat., Dec. 17, 8:25 p.m. ET
Hey look, another primetime game. But this time, the Jets and Dolphins will square off on Saturday Night Football.
Week 16: at New England Patriots (12-4), Sat., Dec. 24, 1 p.m. ET
Nothing says Merry Christmas like Jets and Patriots on Christmas Eve.
Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills (8-8), Sun., Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET
The Jets will kick off 2017 just like they kicked off 2016: Against Rex Ryan and the Bills. This time, the game will be at MetLife Stadium.
FIVE primetime games?
Get your popcorn ready, #JetsNation pic.twitter.com/UmmMtp0IEb
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 15, 2016
