New York Jets will have to be road warriors early on in 2016

The New York Jets have one tough schedule ahead of them this upcoming season. They will have to be road warriors early on if they’re to continue the momentum they built upon from last year.

The Jets couldn’t have been more fortunate last season playing only one pair of games back-to-back on the road. This time around the Jets will have to play six of their first nine games on the road this upcoming season.

Again you can look at this one of two ways: anticipate the toughness of the slate early on or hold anticipation for the extra home games during the final stretch. Last season, the Jets went 4-4 on the road, during those back-to-back road games, the Jets lost both.

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to throw a pass against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, lets break down the road warrior mentality the Jets will have to possess going into next season.

Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Stadium on TNF

Starting Week 2, the Jets are on the road in prime time against their division rival the Buffalo Bills. The Jets lasting memories of Ralph Stadium still haunt their fans endlessly throughout the night.

The Jets had a chance to win and get in and end their NFL Playoffs drought that had lasted four seasons and after their season finale loss, the streak extended to five seasons. The Jets will want to get off on the right foot against a team as of late who’ve had their number.

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Specifically over the last two seasons, the Bills have swept the Jets and have won the last five in the series.

Though not too long before that, the Jets were in control of this rivalry winning six consecutive games from 2009-2012.

Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead

The Jets have had a tough time against the Chiefs lately. Last time the Jets were there, Michael Vick was their starting quarterback.

Much has changed for the Jets, though still we don’t know who will be starting at quarterback for the green and white at this point in time. But this won’t be the first time the Jets have to play back-to-back road games this season.

In fact, it’ll happen three times this season all during this nine game stretch. The mettle of the Jets will be tested in September and October as their season will surely be defined by how the Jets do early on.

Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field

There has been a lot of bad blood between the Jets and the Steelers lately and all of that came late last season when the Jets lost to the Bills in their regular season finale. It pretty much opened the door for the Steelers to take their spot in the AFC playoff race.

Though this series hasn’t always gone the Jets way, they won the last time (20-13) to avoid a nine game losing streak during what was a horrendous 4-12 season. The Jets did the best they could with that 4-12 season by cashing in on versatile defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick.

Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium

The Jets first Monday Night Football game of the season is a doozy. A family reunion in Arizona between head coaches Todd Bowles and Bruce Arians.

This will be the second NFC West opponent of the season at this point and the tough schedule always follows a good season the year prior. The Jets will look to bring the heat against what should be one of the more potent offenses they’ll face all season.

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) and Cleveland Browns linebacker Craig Robertson (53) embrace after the Jets beat the Browns 31-10 at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium

The Jets opened last season against the Browns and now the rematch will be at the Dawg Pound. Though there is one commonality with these two teams, they both don’t know who will be the starting quarterback of their respective teams.

With that being said, the Jets will be on their way to the final back-to-back series of the season. The Jets will look to build some momentum heading into the second half of the year and they have the opportunity to do that here against a young and inexperienced Browns team.

Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium

Shockingly in the Jets ninth game of the season, this’ll only be the second divisional game up to this point. Leaving the majority of the divisional contests for the second half of the season.

The Jets swept the Dolphins last season and have really figured out their mojo. Now with a new head coach in Adam Gase can the Dolphins flip the script? The Jets are going to play the seventh toughest schedule in the NFL this season. Let’s discuss the last two road games of the season in Weeks 14 and 16.

Week 14 will see the Jets traveling on a short week to play the San Francisco 49ers for the first time since 2008 and for the first time ever at Levi’s Stadium. The NFC West is one of the toughest divisions in football and traveling to the west coast has always been rough on the Jets.

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Last season when the Jets played back-to-back road games, they lost them both. Looking particularly lost on the west coast trip to Oakland and losing in embarrassing fashion. While the final road contest of the season will be against their arch rival Patriots on Christmas Eve, everything could be on the line for the year. The Patriots have the advantage with the contest being in Foxborough and of course being the reigning division champs 12 out of the last 13 seasons.