Breaking Down the New York Jets 2013 NFL Schedule: Quarter Four

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) runs after a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

All right gang, we have come to the home stretch of our schedule review. In the speculation game, we have spent the last four days taking a look at the Jets schedule for the upcoming season. Saturday we looked at quarter one, Sunday was the second quarter, and finally, yesterday the third. Today, we take a look at the final four games for Jeremy Kerley and company. What does it look like, and how might the Jets handle it? Let’s take a look at it:

vs. Raidersat Panthersvs. Brownsat Dolphins

This quarter begins with the Oakland Raiders coming to MetLife stadium. This is a nice change, as it seemed that we were heading to Oakland every single season for a while, didn’t it? The Raiders do have Darren McFadden, but by this time of the year he may be hurt, like always. And the Jets now have his former backup, Mike Goodson. Matt Flynn is coming in to take over for Carson Palmer at quarterback, but what is this team going to be, coming off a 4-12 finish? Safe to say that we just don’t know.

The Jets head to Carolina next for a date with the Panthers. Watching Cam Newton play is always fun, and Steve Smith going up against Antonio Cromartie will be an exciting matchup to watch. They are coming off a 7-9 finish in 2012, good for second place in their division. This may be the toughest game of the quarter.

The Jets return home to face Trent Richardson and the rest of the Cleveland Browns. The defense will be tougher thanks to a guy that the Jets were interested in, namely Barkevious Mingo. The Browns added weapons for a Brandon Weeden that will be one year better. Trent Richardson will be tough, but on the other hand, he is not a McFadden type that gives the Jets fits.

Finally, the Jets end their season series in Miami to wrap up the 2013 regular season. We have talked about it before, Miami will be better in 2013. Ryan Tannehill will be licking his chops when he looks to the outside to see Mike Wallace lined up there. He against Cromartie will be a fun matchup to watch. But, if you take out the Santonio Holmes meltdown from a couple of years ago, the Jets have a decent amount of success down in Miami.

If the Jets are in position come the final quarter of the year, this seems like the most winnable quarter of the four. Carolina will be the toughest foe, the rest of these games are there for the taking. If the Jets have put it together by this point, I could see a 3-1 final quarter.

That’s how close these teams are, I say it time and time again. If this quarter is a 3-1 quarter, it could put them at 5-6 wins, or it could put them near 10 wins. It’s early now, there is a lot of work to be done on these rosters. It’s fun to speculate, though. What do you guys think? Sound off below.