New York Jets: Top 5 must-watch games on 2019 schedule

The NFL officially released the 2019 regular season schedule on Wednesday. Every team’s fan base will now look over and debate their team’s schedule over the next few months, including New York Jets fans. Here are the top five must-watch games for the Jets in 2019.

The 2019 NFL regular season schedule was officially released on Wednesday night as ESPN and the NFL Network hosted a schedule release show at 8 pm. The schedule release comes just over a week before the 2019 NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, April 25th.

With all 32 teams officially releasing their schedules, every fan base is dreaming of a perfect 16-0 season. From now until September 5th, when the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears kick off the season, most fans will make game-by-game predictions. This includes the New York Jets and their fans, who are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

The Jets have already had a busy offseason, making huge free agency acquisitions and revealing their new uniforms. Now comes the 2019 schedule release and then the NFL Draft on April 25th.

Every game is vital for the Jets success and ending their long playoff drought. Below are five games that are much-watch this season. There are key divisional matchups, revenge games, and a homecoming game for one of the Jets biggest free agency acquisitions.

Next: Week 1: Buffalo Bills

Week 1: Buffalo Bills

The new look Jets and the Adam Gase era will open the season at home against the Buffalo Bills. The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 8 at 1 pm. Head Coach Adam Gase and this year’s members of Gang Green need to get off to a good start in 2019 and this game is as close to a much win as you can get.

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and Bills quarterback Josh Allen have quickly formed a friendly rivalry in the AFC East. They are close friends off the field but on the field, they are always looking to outdo one another. Both teams made some major free acquisitions on the offensive side of the ball; Jets (Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder) and Bills (John Brown, Cole Beasley, and the ageless wonder Frank Gore). It will be interesting to see how quick both quarterbacks can get on the same page with their new weapons.

According to newyorkjets.com, this is the Jets 13th season opener vs. Buffalo (the most vs. any opponent). The Jets lead 8-4 however, it’s only the Jets third home opener vs. the Bills.

Next: Week 2: Cleveland Browns (Monday Night Football)

Week 2: Cleveland Browns (Monday Night Football)

This is the Jets first of three primetime games this season (Browns, Patriots, Ravens) and its a rematch from last season. The Jets will host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 pm on Monday, September 16th in MetLife Stadium.

Gang Green will be looking for revenge against the Browns, after losing to them on Thursday Night Football. When the Browns beat the Jets on September 20, 2019, it was their first win in 635 days. It also snapped a 19 game losing streak for the Browns, the NFL’s second-longest streak since the AFL-NFL merger. Bottom line, the Jets will completely embarrassed on national television against the laughing-stock of the NFL at the time.

It will also be a special game for the Jets new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams was the Browns defensive coordinator last season when the Browns defeated the Jets. Williams took over as interim head coach on October 29 2018, after Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were fired. At the time of Jackson’s firing, the Browns were sitting at 2-5-1 and Williams helped lead the Browns to a 7-8-1 finish. Williams was passed over by the front office and offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchen was named new head coach. Williams will be looking forward to making the Browns regret their decision.

This game will also be Odell Beckham Jr.’s homecoming to MetLife Stadium after the New York Giants traded him to the Browns.

Next: Week 7: New England Patriots (Monday Night Football)

Week 7: New England Patriots (Monday Night Football)

This might be the most important game of 2019 for the Jets as they take on their AFC East rival, New England Patriots. This will be the second game against the Patriots this coming season as the Jets get to play the Patriots two times early in the season. Although the Jets play the Patriots at New England in Week 3, this game is more important. This big Monday Night Football game is scheduled to kickoff at 8:15 pm on Monday, October 21.

The Patriots have had a stranglehold on the division for almost two decades. Ever since Patriots quarterback Tom Brady came to town, he has led them to several division titles and Super Bowl victories. Many coaches of Gang Green have tried but failed to take down the Patriots dynasty. Maybe new head coach Adam Gase can finally be the guy to do it.

C.J. Mosley said Adam Gase’s message to team was clear: Beat the #Patriots, win the division.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 17, 2019

This was Gase’s message on day one of the offseason training activities and it will continue to be driven how by Gase to all of his players as mini-camp and training camp draw closer. If the Jets are going to ever be taken seriously by the NFL, beating the defending Super Bowl champs on national television would do just that. It’s time to “Take Flight” and become the new kings of the AFC East.

Next: Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens (Thursday Night Football)

Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens (Thursday Night Football)

The C.J. Mosley homecoming game.

That will be the storyline behind the finale of 2019 Thursday Night Football games. The Jets were able to pull the Pro Bowl linebacker away from the Baltimore Ravens in free agency back in March. Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract with $51 million guaranteed which now makes him the highest paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL.

Mosley was the heart of the Ravens defense during his five seasons there and he will now bring that heart and leadership to a young Jets defense. Mosley has made the Pro Bowl four out of five seasons and is one of only two linebackers (Carolina’s Luke Kuechly) to have 500 tackles, eight sacks, and eight interceptions since 2014.

Mosley’s time with the Ravens could help the Jets end their losing streak against the Ravens. The Jets are 0-5 and have never held a second-half lead against the Ravens.

Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, December 12 at 8:20 pm.

Next: Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jets made the biggest splash in free agency back in March when they signed running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell and his contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers was one of the top stories of the 2018 season. Unfortunately for the Steelers, Bell sat out the entire season because of the contract dispute. Fortunately for the Jets, that helped pave the way to Bell becoming a free agent and Gang Green scooping him up.

This season, Bell will be able to get his revenge against the Steelers in Week 16 with a game that could have huge playoff implications. Bell will be looking forward to making the Steelers regret their decision of not paying him what he deserved and ruining the Steelers playoff hopes.

After the schedule was released on Wednesday night, Bell took to Twitter with this post:

https://twitter.com/LeVeonBell/status/1118685889033490432

As you can see, Bell has this game circled on his schedule and it can’t come soon enough for him. On the field though, Bell is arguably the best back in the league and can make something special happen anytime he touches the ball.

According to newyorkjets.com, the Jets are 2-1 against the Steelers in the Meadowlands. Hopefully, Bell can help improve the Jets record against the Black and Yellow.