2026 Jets Preview: Schedule Breakdown and Predictions

In my last post, 2026 Jets Preview: Roster Grades and Expectations, I assessed how good (or bad) each coaching and position group is for the team. In this post, I will build on that by breaking down the schedule and how I see the Jets faring in every game. Each game breakdown will be relatively brief, as there are 17 games and we still don't really know how each team is going to look yet. I plan on writing a more detailed breakdown the week of each matchup, as well as a reaction after each game. Now, let's get into the S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E! Schedule! Schedule! Schedule!

General Notes

A few things stand out about the 2026 schedule

First, the Jets get the short end of the stick with 8 home games and 9 away games. That's the split for every AFC team this year. Last season, the Jets only had 8 real home games: technically they had 9, but one was in London. In 2024, they also had 8 home games, but the London game counted as a road game. So 2023 was the last time the Jets actually had 9 real home games—and almost 10, considering they had an "away" game vs. the Giants. I suppose the NFL likes to make things more difficult for us. Although, to be fair, the MetLife turf still gives me nightmares. It might actually be best for the Jets to hit the road more.

Another thing that stands out: there are 14 starts at 1 p.m. ET, 2 at 4:05 p.m. ET, and 1 TBD—the final week at Buffalo. As currently scheduled, the Jets are looking at an entire season without a standalone primetime game. I find this interesting because I think even the world's biggest Jets skeptic has to acknowledge the Jets will be improved this year compared to last year, and even last year they gave the Jets a pity Thursday Night Football game vs. the Pats in Foxborough. I am not complaining, though. There is something nice about a 1 p.m. start. It allows me to spend 4–6 p.m. getting over the loss, and then I have a little bit of my night left to enjoy and forget about the suffering.

Lastly, and most importantly, I see a lot of winnable games. Does that mean the Jets will win them? No. But with 2 games vs. the Dolphins and 1 each against the dregs of the league like the Titans, Browns, Raiders, and Cardinals, the Jets, if even halfway decent, should be able to go 5-1, or at least 4-2, against those teams. Now, of course, each of those teams and their fans are probably thinking the same thing when they see the Jets on their schedule...

Let's get into the games now.

Week 1: Jets @ Titans

The Robert Saleh Revenge Game! That is, if you consider "revenge" something required for someone who got fired after going 20-36 as the head coach, mismanaged the QB situation every season, and had just as many slogans as he did defensive plays. Look, I was rooting for Saleh. But I don't think this gets to be "revenge," considering his failures in NY were on him and his buddy Joe Douglas. Do I think he should have gotten fired at 2-3 in the 2024 season? No, Woody is an idiot for that. I wouldn't put meddling past Kaaron Rodgers, although he denied having a role in the firing. His judgment should always be taken with a grain of psychedelics. But if the Jets hadn't made the playoffs that year under Saleh's watch, then it would have been reasonable to fire him after the season.

Funny enough, the last time the Jets played the Titans was Saleh's second-to-last win as Jets head coach, when the Jets eked out a win vs. mayo enthusiast Will Levis, who has since been cut by the Titans and reportedly worked out for the Jets. Saleh also got his first-ever win as Jets head coach against the Titans back in 2021. The two teams have actually not crossed paths that often, but the Jets have won 4 of their last 5 matchups dating back to 2014. Despite the recent success, New York's record vs. Tennessee is 21-25-1, including the playoffs. Granted, the Titans used to be called the Oilers, and the Jets used to be called the Titans. I really hope the Jets never bring back the New York Titans uniforms. Those things are hideous.

Anyways, back to 2026. This is a great matchup for the Jets. They face a team that I'm not sure is superior to the Jets in any particular department. This is Saleh's first regular-season game installing his new defensive system, and Brian Daboll, Titans OC and another coach fired by a NY football team, is a lock to be screaming at Cam Ward throughout the game. Ward has NOT looked good in the preseason: his three drives against Seattle's backups produced just three points. I don't see the Titans putting up more than 17 points vs. the Jets' much-improved defense. And I don't think the Titans' defense is going to be elite by any means, so I expect Geno and company to put up some modest points in their first full game as a unit.

Give me the Jets here, 24-16.

Jets record: 1-0.

Week 2: Packers @ Jets

The last time these two teams played in the regular season, the Jets stunned the Packers by winning at Lambeau in Rodgers' last year there, back in 2022. It was pretty nice to see him get upset. Little did I know I'd have to root for him for the next 2 years... With the Packers being in the other conference, there isn't much history between the two teams on the field. The Packers have taken 3 of the last 5 going back to 2006, including a brutal OT loss for the Jets at MetLife in 2018. But the Jets lead the all-time series 9-5.

The most notable history between the teams isn't on the field, though. It's the trades they have made. The Jets traded for Brett Favre late in his career in 2008, started strong at 8-3, then finished 9-7 and fired Mangenius. Then Rodgers, seemingly wanting to mimic Favre in every single way, did the same, but was even worse. The Jets traded for Rodgers in 2023. He tore his Achilles 4 offensive plays into the season, and the next year the Jets fired Saleh at 2-3 before finishing 5-12.

How will the 2026 Packers look? Josh Jacobs may miss the game: he is on the Commissioner's Exempt List while facing misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property. I am not a legal expert, but that sounds bad. Micah Parsons is on reserve/PUP and will miss at least the first four games. So the Packers will be without one of their best players and could be without another. They will also be coming off a tough divisional game in Minnesota. Tucker Kraft is back in practice after a torn ACL. I'm glad, so I don't have to hear announcers act like Kraft missing for the Packers is prime Gronk missing for the Pats.

Matchup-wise, my biggest concern for the Jets is Christian Watson. Do they dare put him in man-to-man coverage with Brandon Stephens? I hope not. I don't see that going well if they do. Other than that, I can't say anyone on the Packers scares me. Maybe Matthew Golden, just because he is fast. No one on the Packers' defense worries me. The Packers do have a clear edge in coaching, though, no offense to Glenn. However, that didn't help them when Matt LaFleur faced Saleh in 2022. Glenn also has experience calling plays against LaFleur going back to his days in Detroit, but the inverse argument can be made for LaFleur calling plays against Glenn.

Are the Packers a better team? Maybe. But they aren't going to be fully intact going into this game, and they are coming off a tough divisional matchup. Call me a stupid optimist, but I'm taking the Jets here.

Jets upset the Packers in a close one, 27-24.

Jets record: 2-0.

Week 3: Jets @ Lions

Aaron Glenn's return to Detroit. I unfortunately remember the last time these two teams played in 2022 at MetLife. Zach Wilson was forced back into the starting role after Mike White got hurt vs. Buffalo. It was a close game, but the Lions scored a late touchdown to take the lead. The Jets actually got a chance to tie it at the end, but Greg Zuerlein missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired. I remember being irate about the ending, even if the details are a little fuzzy. I also remember leaving my now-wife's—then-girlfriend's—family party early to watch the game in solitude. The World Cup final was that day (yes, the World Cup was going on in December), and I was cheered up later by the Patriots losing in Jet-like fashion when Jakobi Meyers threw a backward pass that Chandler Jones returned for a walk-off touchdown. Good times.

Then, back in 2018, the Jets played the Lions in Sam Darnold's first game. He started with a pick-six but then proceeded to blow out that awful Lions team and Bill Belichick crony and pencil-behind-the-ear fanatic Matt Patricia. Patricia was a highly valued candidate despite being the defensive coordinator whose team had just allowed 41 points and 538 yards in the Super Bowl. He now has the privilege of calling defensive plays for Ohio State, which seems to have a fresh batch of NFL first-round picks every year. He's a genius, though...

That was a fun trip down memory lane, but let's get to this game. The Lions are very talented on offense. They did make what I think is a strange hire at OC: Drew Petzing, who ran the offense for a 3-14 Cardinals team. But I think the talent will still help the offense thrive. Their offensive line has become less dominant over time, though. Dan Campbell is also good for one or two overly aggressive fourth-down attempts.

The defense for Detroit is an entirely different story. Aidan Hutchinson is great, but I think the Jets' O-line is good enough to limit his impact. The Lions' secondary in particular looks weak to me. I expect Garrett Wilson to have a good day. The Lions will also be coming off a tough game at Buffalo, though it's a Thursday game, so they'll have extra rest before facing the Jets. Can I talk myself into the Jets winning this game? Absolutely.

I'll take the Jets in a shootout, 34-30.

Jets record: 3-0.

Week 4: Jets @ Bears

3 road games in the first 4 weeks? Thanks, Roger. The Jets play the Bears this time. The last time these teams played, at MetLife in 2022, Mike White routed the Bears, who trotted out Trevor Siemian—a former and future Jets QB—in place of a banged-up Justin Fields, another future Jets QB. Ironically, Fields and Siemian each won 2 games as a Jets starter, despite Fields making several more starts. I don't have any other distinct memories of the Jets-Bears matchup. Da Bears apparently own us, though, with a 9-4 all-time record against us.

The 2026 edition features a battle of former Lions assistants: Glenn vs. Ben Johnson, Detroit's former OC. Johnson is a bit cocky and sometimes tries to be the smartest guy in the room (look up the Jameson Williams trick-play fail vs. the Commanders and you'll see what I'm talking about), but he still outclasses Glenn. This is a really bad matchup for the Jets' defense. Two young, talented WRs, 2 very good tight ends, and an up-and-coming mobile QB. Combine those with Johnson's high-quality play-calling and the Jets' not-so-great secondary, and you are going to see a lot of points put up by the Bears.

That being said, I'm not sure the Bears' defense is any good. Last year, the Bears led the league with 33 takeaways, and now face the Jets, who led the league if we sorted the takeaway rankings in reverse—including 0 interceptions, the first time that has happened in NFL history. Turnovers aren't all luck, but if some of those bounces even out, I'd expect fewer takeaways from Da Bears and more from the Jets. The Bears are also coming off a short week, having played the Eagles the previous Monday night. I think the Jets get some turnover luck and catch Caleb Williams on a bad day. That's right, I have the Jets going 4-0.

I'll take the Jets in another high-scoring affair, 31-30.

Jets record: 4-0.

Week 5: Browns @ Jets

Because these teams are in the same conference and often mirror each other in putridity, they find themselves playing each other a lot, including through last-place schedules. Last year, the Jets won an absolute snoozefest where Justin Fields threw for 54 yards, 42 of them on a short pass that Breece Hall took to the house. They got help from the Jets' special teams, who returned both a punt and a kick for touchdowns. The lowlight for the Browns, though, was jumping offsides on fourth down at the end, when the Jets clearly weren't going to go for it.

Before that, the Browns beat the Jets pretty badly on Thursday Night Football in 2023 with Joe Flacco at the helm. But the year before, Flacco and the Jets beat the Browns in miraculous fashion, including a late onside kick. Even in the Jets' worst season of the decade, when they went 2-14 in 2020, they beat the playoff-contending Browns and Baker Mayfield. Baker fumbled on fourth down, and Kareem Hunt couldn't legally advance the recovery for a first down. You can't do that, Kareem.

The 2026 Browns may be worse than the 2025 Browns, and that is saying something. They replaced a reputable two-time Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski, with Todd Monken, a rare first-time NFL head coach at 60. They are trotting out Deshaun Watson to start the season. Will he even make it to Week 5? Probably not, and if he doesn't, we are probably looking at Shedeur Sanders. Dillon Gabriel is currently on injured reserve. I'm not sure there is a single unit, save for maybe the defensive secondary, where the Browns have an advantage now that they traded away star Myles Garrett. To be fair, they did get Jared Verse back in that trade.

The Browns' offense has some nice potential at WR, but it won't matter if the QB can't get it to them. Do I think it's crazy to expect the Jets to go 5-0? Yes, a little bit. But even if they started 0-4, I'd still pick them in this game.

J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS win, 23-13.

Jets record: 5-0.

Week 6: Jets @ Patriots

Okay, party's over, guys. All good things must come to an end. This game is in Foxborough, where the Jets have not won a meaningful game since the Bart Scott "can't wait" game, which was also the Jets' last playoff win. Yes, they won there in the 2023 season finale, but that wasn't exactly a playoff push. Also, and it pains me to say this, the Pats have the Jets beat at just about every position group except maybe offensive line and running back. The Pats also get the benefit of coming off a home game vs. the hapless Raiders. I don't think I need to provide too much analysis to convince people the Jets aren't winning this one.

It isn't going to be the complete blowout that happened the last time the Jets played them, which I thankfully missed because I was visiting my wedding venue in the mountains. Even the bad reception could provide me with updates every 5 minutes when the Patriots scored.

Anyways, given that I am now living in the Greater Boston area, I may go to this game on the off chance the Jets pull an upset. I'm not holding my breath, though.

Pats win, 27-20.

Jets record: 5-1.

Week 7: Dolphins @ Jets

From a great division opponent to a terrible one. I hate to do this to my fellow Siena alum Jeff Hafley, coach of the Miami Dolphins, but the Jets are superior to the Dolphins in every way except maybe at running back, and that is still a maybe. I don't see the Jets' biggest weakness, their defensive secondary, being under much threat from Malik Willis at QB and a bunch of no-names at WR.

The Dolphins can take some solace in their recent success vs. the Jets. They swept the Jets last year, split with them in 2024, and swept them in 2023. They also lead the all-time series 63-57-1, including the playoffs, and the Jets have not won in Miami in what feels like forever. But it's 2026, and the Jets are much improved.

Jets win easily, 30-20.

Jets record: 6-1.

Week 8: Raiders @ Jets

Las Vegas, previously Oakland and Los Angeles, sports a 27-20-2 all-time record against the Jets, including the playoffs. The two teams have not actually played much in recent history. The last matchup was a Raiders win in Vegas in 2023, when Zach Wilson, filling in for an injured Aaron Rodgers, threw a costly late interception to a linebacker on Sunday Night Football. Before that, in 2020, the Jets lost thanks to a last-minute all-out blitz by Blitz Anonymous member Gregg Williams.

I think the 2026 Raiders will put up a much bigger fight than the 2026 Dolphins. I do think their first-year head coach, Klint Kubiak, should be decent. But I don't think there is enough offensive talent to support him. While the Raiders' offensive line should be mildly improved, their receiving corps might be even worse than last year. They do have Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, and I'd expect Bowers to do well in this matchup if he's healthy. I expect the Raiders' defense to be at the same level as the Jets' defense.

But, at the end of the day, it's either old Kirk Cousins running the offense or Fernando Mendoza, who didn't inspire much confidence in me this preseason. He completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions. I think the Raiders will scare the Jets, but the Jets pull it out.

Jets win a tight one, 23-21.

Jets record: 7-1.

Week 9: Jets @ Chiefs

The last time the Jets played the Chiefs at Arrowhead—that's what I'm calling it, not whatever its sponsor is now—the Jets were blacked out on my TV. It was a putrid showing for a putrid team, as the winless Jets lost 35-9. For once, thank you to the NFL for not letting me watch that. Their most recent matchup with the Chiefs was a much closer contest at MetLife in 2023, when Zach Wilson actually played alright. But a ticky-tack defensive holding call on Sauce Gardner wiped out a late interception and helped the Chiefs close it out. It was the typical way for the Jets to lose and the typical way for the Chiefs to win. The Chiefs lead the all-time series 21-19-1, including the playoffs.

In 2026, it's a much more interesting matchup. The Chiefs are no longer the Chiefs of old. Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL. Kelce is coming off a wedding. Andy Reid is coming off eating 50 cheeseburgers. However, the Chiefs still have Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith anchoring the O-line, and Rashee Rice gives them a dynamic WR. They also get Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. They still have Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, and George Karlaftis. One area I think they are weak in is the secondary. Most importantly, though, the Chiefs will have the zebras. I think the Jets will make it close, but lose on a penalty.

Chiefs eke it out, 27-24.

Jets record: 7-2.

Week 10: Bills @ Jets

The Bills absolutely clobbered the Jets last year. Normally, the Jets are able to put up a fight at MetLife vs the Bills, but that didn't happen last year. The season-ending blowout in Buffalo was even more embarrassing, as Mitch Trubisky and the Bills' backups annihilated the Jets, which led to me demanding Glenn get fired.

This year's Bills team has a new head coach, Joe Brady, but he's the same guy who called offensive plays for them the last few years. Josh Allen gets a guy who at least used to be a WR1 in DJ Moore. They still have a good O-line and James Cook. The D-line should be good too, with Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau returning and Bradley Chubb joining the group. Oh, and Josh Allen is still the QB. I don't think the Jets' improvements are going to be enough to overcome the gap between the 2 teams.

Bills win convincingly, 31-20.

Jets record: 7-3.

Week 11: Jets @ Chargers

This is one of the Jets' 2 trips out west. To be honest, I don't remember much from the last time the Jets played the Chargers. After I looked it up and saw it was a 27-6 blowout for the Chargers, I vaguely remembered it being a primetime game, with Wilson at QB instead of the expected Rodgers. The Jets have a rough history vs. the Chargers, who lead the all-time series 24-14-1, including the playoffs. But the Jets will always have the 17-14 divisional-round win in San Diego in January 2010, during the 2009 season. That unfortunately predates my fandom, but I remember the game well.

This time around, the Jets face a contending Chargers team with elite coaching: Jim Harbaugh as HC and Mike "McDungeons and Dragons" McDaniel at OC. McDaniel was an iffy head coach for Miami, but he always seemed to do well against the Jets. The Chargers' offense struggled last year, but they were also missing their starting tackles for much of the season and had Herbert wearing an oven mitt down the stretch. They should be much improved. And I always expect a Harbaugh team to have a good defense. I unfortunately like the Chargers in this game.

Chargers win a lower-scoring affair, 23-17.

Jets record: 7-4.

Week 12: Jets @ Dolphins

A nice break in the schedule for the Jets here, coming back from a west coast trip. Can the Jets break their streak of losing in Miami and sweep the Dolphins? I think the Dolphins will truly be that bad. Not much else to break down here, as I'd just be repeating my analysis from the first matchup.

Give me the Jets in a rout, 30-14.

Jets record: 8-4.

Week 13: Bye

A late bye for the Jets this year. It doesn't help break up the season into 2 halves, but it does set them up with some rest going into the final stretch. I'll take it. If the Jets are truly 8-4 coming out of the bye, they just gotta win 2 more games to get to 10 wins and put themselves in contention for a playoff spot.

Week 14: Broncos @ Jets

I feel like these teams play every year, and no matter how good or bad each one is, it's always close. Last year was a 13-11 ug-fest that Denver won in London. The year prior, the Broncos won 10-9 in another slopfest with terrible weather, when the Jets missed a potential game-winning kick on their final drive. The two years before that involved Zach Wilson-led wins for the Jets in Mile High, but those wins came with devastating injuries. As is the case with most Jets opponents, the Broncos lead the all-time series, 24-18-1 including the playoffs.

The Broncos were probably one of the worst 14-win teams I've ever seen—lots of close victories and miracle comebacks—and yet they still were a Bo Nix injury away from a potential Super Bowl appearance. This year, they're supposed to be even better. They added Jaylen Waddle to their receiving corps, which should help Bo Nix become more consistent. I really don't think he's that good, though. Denver's defense is supposed to be elite, though pass rusher Jonathon Cooper is on the Commissioner's Exempt List while facing domestic violence charges. His availability for December remains uncertain. The Jets will also have an extra week of rest going into this game. I like them to pull it out.

Jets win, 24-20.

Jets record: 9-4.

Week 15: Jets @ Cardinals

Not a whole lot of memorable games in Jets-Cardinals history. They have only played 3 times in the last 10 years, and the Cards have won all of them quite convincingly. Despite that, the Jets still lead the all-time series 6-5.

Fast-forward to 2026: Mike LaFleur revenge game? The guy who was let go by the Jets after failing to build a competent offense with Zach Wilson at QB—who can blame him?—gets a chance to show the Jets what they are missing. The problem? Before this season, he hadn't been a regular-season play-caller since his Jets days, as Sean McVay called the plays with the Rams. LaFleur really hasn't called plays much in his NFL career. Is the last name doing some work here? I have my suspicions.

He'll have solid veteran Jacoby Brissett running the show and a lot of talented skill-position players in Jeremiyah Love, Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Trey McBride. I don't think this offense will be bad. I don't think their defense will be good, though. Give me the Jets in a close one.

Jets win, 27-20.

Jets record: 10-4.

Week 16: Patriots @ Jets

Home game for the Jets this time around against the Pats. Can they pull it out? I doubt it. I'm just conditioned to watching them lose to the Pats. I'll be happy to be proven wrong.

Pats win, 30-24.

Jets record: 10-5.

Week 17: Vikings @ Jets

The last time these two teams played, the Jets lost an excruciating game in London back in 2024, with Aaron Rodgers throwing a pick-six and later a game-ending interception on the final drive. Two years before that, Braxton Berrios couldn't hang on to a potential go-ahead touchdown late, and Mike White threw an interception on the Jets' final possession. The Jets have dropped the last 4 to the Vikings, yet still lead the all-time series 8-5.

The Vikings should have a good defense like they did last year. Their biggest question is what they get on offense. Is Kyler Murray fixed by Kevin O'Connell, former Jets backup QB and alleged QB whisperer? Will Kyler even be healthy by January? I'm skeptical, and if he is, he and the indoor-based Vikings are likely going to face the Jets in cold weather at MetLife. I like the Jets in those conditions.

Jets win, 27-17.

Jets record: 11-5.

Week 18: Jets @ Bills

If the Jets are truly 11-5 going into this game, it could be for the division and would probably be selected for Sunday Night Football. I don't see the Jets winning a game like that in Buffalo. The last time the Jets won in Buffalo was a late-season snooze fest in 2019. Unfortunately, I think they'll have to wait another year.

Bills win, 34-21.

Jets record: 11-6.

Summary

I may need to be checked into an institution. I have the Jets getting 11 wins and almost certainly making the playoffs. The schedule is very manageable this year, though I will admit 11 wins is probably their ceiling, not their expected outcome. I think anywhere from 7 to 11 wins is reasonable for them. It's the hope that kills you, but the hope will never die.