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

March 19, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

It’s obviously pretty early to start talking about the schedule. There is a lot of work to be done between now and week one, and rosters still have a lot of shaping to do. Still, it’s fun. Speculate, we will do.

There is a lot of talk about the Jets going through rebuilding in 2013, which they are. They are undergoing a major facelift, and will go under a bigger one after 2013, when most of Mike Tannenbaum’s bad contracts are off the books. There aren’t many out there, if any at all, that are expecting the Jets to do much better than last year’s 6-10, if they do THAT well.

But, the Jets still could perform well in 2013. Yes, a lot of things will have to break well. But, the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is minuscule. That’s what makes the league so great, that any team can win any season. The stars align correctly, any team can make the jump and win. Heck, we went from 1-15 to the brink of the playoffs in one year.

With that all said, we are going to begin an early look at the schedule, by quarter, and see what it has in store. We begin with the first quarter:

vs Tampa Bayat New Englandvs Buffaloat Tennessee

So who has the sense of humor? Before the trade was finalized, we learned that Tampa was coming to MetLife for week one. Clearly, the schedule makers were happy to set up the drama of the Darrelle Revis return. It wasn’t even official, but we knew the trade was coming, so they set up that week one game.

Then the schedule makers turned gangster on the Jets, setting them up in New England for a prime time matchup week 2. We all know the lack of success the Jets have had up in New England, and to put the game four days after the game against the Bucs is brutal.

Buffalo will be improved with the additions of EJ Manuel and the young wide receivers, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin is a burner, and will be a guy that does damage, whether or not Manuel is the quarterback by week 3. Kevin Kolb, if he is under center, will have the opportunity to excel with these guys on the outside and CJ Spiller running the football. This team will be a tough beat for the Jets.

Then, they head to Tennessee for a reunion with Mr. Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust Greene. He won’t be getting the bulk of the carries obviously, that will still go to CJ2K. But in short yardage, he is the perfect guy to give Johnson a rest and keep him fresh. Jake Locker will have the opportunity to flourish with the addition of Chance Warmack in front of him, and Justin Hunter to the outside.

Yes, the opponents on this schedule did overall have a sub .500 record in 2012. It’s not the toughest schedule they have ever faced, but it has it’s moments where it is very tough, in sneaky ways. It’s not impossible that they could come out of this stretch 1-3. But if they play well anything is possible. But Tampa coming in, NE four days later, an improved Buffalo team and Titans team? It could be quite ugly.