The schedule for the New York Jets ’20-’21 campaign has been officially released.

Opening Weeks

The Jets will need to make an immediate statement within the first few weeks of the 2020 season. The Jets are queued to play division rival and current division favorite Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. Immediately the Jets are thrown into a game with massive repercussions for both teams as well as setting the stage for the now wide-open race to win the AFC East.

Following that matchup, the Jets will have the defend home turf against last years runner up’s in the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the home field advantage, this game will showcase the progress the Jets have made this offseason and gauge the teams chances to be a playoff contender. The newly reloaded Denver Broncos offense will also be coming to Metlife to test the newly built, more experienced Jets secondary, as well as their ability to pressure a young quarterback in Denver’s Drew Locke.

Ultimately, the opening of the season will be a crucial time for the Jets to show their mettle, and set the tone for the rest of the season. Gang Green already has one of the hardest schedules in the league, and the opening weeks will be a trial by fire.

Jets Major Matchups

On top of playing the Super Bowl losers early in the season, the Jets will also have to travel to Kansas City to play superstar Patrick Mahomes and the defending world champion Chiefs. That Week 8 matchup will be a true mid-season gut check for the players and coaching staff. Back to back matchups (save the bye week) against the freshly rebuilt Miami Dolphins nearly swept Gang Green last year. will also prove a tedious task.

Jet Need-To-Wins

It’s very simple. The Jets need to have a strong showing Week 1 in Buffalo, Week 2 against the 49ers, a must-win on Thursday Night Football against Denver, and at a minimum win all home games against division rivals, one of which is a Monday Night Football primetime matchup at home against New England (Week 9). A Week 16 matchup against Cleveland will be a revenge tour for the disastrous 23-3 loss when Trevor Siemian broke his leg and Luke Falk took over as the Jets QB during the Sam Darnold mono crisis.

There’s no denying it- this is a tough schedule, and it’s time for a true gut check.