With a 4-12 record in 2018, the New York Jets were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season. In fact, only the Arizona Cardinals had a worse record, going 3-13.
2019 is a new year though, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Jets. Players like Jamal Adams have another year of growth, while Sam Darnold will look to build off his rookie season. Of course, they've made a lot of big acquisitions as well. Too many to name right here, but Le'Veon Bell deserves a special shoutout.
Finally, they have the third overall pick in the NFL Draft. That means they'll be adding another massive name to their roster to keep an eye on.
Due to all this, New York should be a much more interesting team in 2019. They'll also have some games that not only Jets fans should tune into, but everyone should try to watch. Here are five examples of that.
5. New England Patriots – Week 3 & Week 7
The New England Patriots are the AFC East. They've been the head of that division basically since 2000. The New York Jets are on the rise though. They started the rebuild by drafting Darnold to be their quarterback of the future last year. Now things have been accelerated with all their offseason acquisitions (such as Kelechi Osemele, Jamison Crowder and Bell).
No, they likely won't be overthrowing the Patriots in 2019. Crazier things have happened though. Even if the Jets don't overtake New England however, they can still leave their mark. If New York can take at least one of their two games in the season against the Patriots, they can show they're on the rise.
4. Baltimore Ravens – Week 15
This is something you'll see a few times in the “must-watch” games for the New York Jets. Last season, they took Sam Darnold to be their quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Ravens also took a QB in the first round – Lamar Jackson.
Jackson is now officially the QB1 of the Ravens. That means we're in-store for a Jackson vs. Darnold matchup in 2019. Two first-round QBs from 2018.
Of course, the main reason to watch is to see what team got the better deal. No a matchup in Year Two doesn't determine everything. However, it will be bragging rights for the fans.
That being said, this is the lowest-ranked of the three “first-round QB” matchups from 2018. The reason for that is Jackson was drafted 32nd overall and by a team that was already decent. He wasn't exactly in that cluster of early first-round QBs, although he should've been.
3. Cleveland Browns – Week 2
Baker Mayfield was the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He went to the Cleveland Browns and helped turn an 0-16 team around to 7-8-1 in his first season. So far, he's obviously the toast of the 2018 QB class.
However, it's only been one year, and a lot can change. The Browns are poised for a big year, but the Jets could turn a few heads too.
Darnold was the third overall pick and the second QB in the draft to go. This one will be more personal. Darnold will have a chance to show the Browns they made the wrong choice at quarterback, while Mayfield has a chance to show the Jets what they're missing.
Both young quarterbacks wield a lot of potential and could be significant reasons in their respective franchises turning things around. Right now though, they're both still getting used to the NFL.
Last season, the Browns beat the Jets 21-17. It was the first NFL game for Mayfield, as he entered for Tyrod Taylor after an injury. He ended up having a solid game, while Darnold struggled.
Who will be the first to blink in the second matchup between the two?
2. Buffalo Bills – Week 1 & 17
This is easily the biggest matchup of first-round quarterbacks the Jets will see. They could've taken Josh Allen, but went with Sam Darnold. Yes, you could say that about any QB that went after Darnold, but this one's a little different.
It's different because Allen ended up getting draft seventh overall, to the Buffalo Bills. The Bills were the only other AFC East team to draft a QB in the first round last season.
Due to both being draft in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft – Darnold and Allen would be forever linked no matter what. Both going to AFC East teams makes them immediate rivals though.
Now it's a race. Who can turn their team around faster? Who can put up MVP numbers? Which of the two can prove to be the better pick and quarterback in the NFL?
Last season, the Bills and Jets split their two-game series. However, the game the Bills won saw neither of the two rookies at quarterback. Matt Barkley played for Buffalo while McCown played for New York.
In the game the Jets won, Darnold out-dueled Allen in the air, but Allen had a big day on the ground.
What will season two hold in-store for the two young QBs? They get two chances to prove themselves against each other in 2019.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Week 16
No explanation needed really. It's Le'Veon Bell going up against his old team. The team he sat out all 2018 instead of playing for.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will want to prove they can win without him. Meanwhile, Bell will want to show the Steelers precisely what they're missing.
Something crazy will happen – and you'll want to be tuned in when it does.
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