I like a challenge!
With preseason behind us and just a week to go until the NFL season gets underway, I want to try and do the impossible – predict how the New York Jets will fare in 2025.
Week 1 – vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife, the scene of some of the lowest points in his long and illustrious career.
Usually, I would say I have seen this movie before: former player comes back to ruin all optimism around Gang Green. But I think Aaron Glenn has his team well prepared for the opener.
Justin Fields plays like a man possessed, leading a three-headed monster alongside Breece Hall and Braelon Allen who together pound the rock for 170+ rushing yards.
Jets win 17-13.
Week 2 – vs Buffalo Bills
Things return back to normal in Week 2.
Josh Allen rolls into town and shows why he was the MVP in 2024 and why the Bills are the dominant power in the AFC East.
The Jets show plenty of heart again, running the ball well, but ultimately they are not in the same league as the Bills… yet.
Bills take this 27-17.
Week 3 – @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are an extremely well-coached side. Shock: Todd Bowles – another man cast aside too early by the Jets – is actually very good at his job.
Led by Baker Mayfield and a high-powered offense, I think this one could get ugly for the Jets down in Tampa.
Tampa Bay ease to a 30-13 win.
Week 4 – @ Miami Dolphins (Monday Night Football)
The optimism has quelled after a Week 1 win, now a trip to Miami in prime time looms.
But what is this? The Jets come out firing on all cylinders, Fields looks like a dual-threat monster and the defense plays lights out, pressuring Tua and shutting down Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
A win in primetime seems on the cards, but a late-game crumble sees Miami sneak out with a 23-20 win.
Week 5 – vs Dallas Cowboys
A return to home field and a return to winning ways.
I do not know what to expect from Dallas in 2025 at all, but I think this is a “turning point” game for New York.
Garrett Wilson will finally get rolling and get that downfield connection with Fields.
Jets win 24-17.
Week 6 – vs Denver Broncos (London)
The Jets right the wrongs of their last trip to London, despite facing one of the best teams in the AFC.
They find a way to win – it is a low-scoring game but a thriller nonetheless.
A late game pick by Sauce Gardener seals the deal and the Jets head back over the Atlantic back at .500.
Jets win 20-14.
Week 7 – vs Carolina Panthers
The winning streak continues in an entertaining game against Carolina, who I have as the most improved team in the NFC in 2025.
Bryce Young shows why he was taken #1 overall a couple of years ago but ultimately, the Jets defense does enough to win another nail-biter.
Jets win 23-17.
Week 8 – @ Cincinnati Bengals
Reality sets in during Week 8. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are unstoppable and the promise of the previous three weeks seems to evaporate.
But ultimately, the Jets head into their bye with a 4-4 record, which nobody expected.
Bengals win 33-13.
Week 9 – Bye
Superb! I can just watch Red Zone with no worries.
Jets bye week has become my favourite Sunday of the season.
Week 10 – vs Cleveland Browns
Fresh off the bye, the Jets come out flying.
I expect Joe Flacco to be out of the line-up for the Browns by this point and whichever rookie is wheeled out has a torrid time.
Glenn cooks up a defensive masterclass, and Wilson feasts in a career game, going for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Jets win 33-10.
Week 11 – @ New England Patriots (Thursday Night Football)
I hate to say it but the Patriots win in New England.
This will probably be a terrible game where a fumble or interception decides it late on. I oo not even want to think about, let alone write it down.
Patriots win 13-7.
Week 12 – @ Baltimore Ravens
The Jets get blown out by the best team in football, and there is little more to say.
I have the Ravens as my Super Bowl champions this year.
Ravens win 40-10.
Week 13 – vs Atlanta Falcons
After a couple of harrowing losses, it all seems to be business as usual.
Atlanta take a double-digit lead early and heading into the 4th quarter, the boos ring out around MetLife.
But hold on there! The Jets roar back from 14 points down with three late scores and send the Falcons home stunned as to how they have thrown it away.
Jets win 27-24.
Week 14 – vs Miami Dolphins
It is cold by this time of year so the Dolphins are incapable of winning. I do not need to say too much else.
Jets win 20-10.
Week 15 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Duvall is a tough place to go for good teams, let alone bad to mediocre ones.
This is a back-and-forth affair but ultimately, Liam Coen’s offense just has too many weapons, with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter making big plays in an entertaining game.
Jags win 30-24.
Week 16 – @ New Orleans Saints
With the season winding down, there is no chance of the playoffs or even a high draft pick. The Jets look a little lost in Week 16.
The Saints also look poor and while they take this game, they still hold all the cards in the race for the number one draft slot and Arch Manning.
Saints win 20-14.
Week 17 – vs New England Patriots
Aaron Glenn does not let the Jets lose another close game with the Patriots. He knows what this means to the franchise and the fan base.
This is an old school slobber-knocker, as Jim Ross would say, and the Jets end their home slate on a high note.
Jets win 20-17.
Week 18 – @ Buffalo Bills
Buffalo are already in the play-offs and have secured the number two seed, so they rest the majority of their starters.
The Jets, playing for pride, make a real fight of it but still come up short.
Bills win 24-23.
Final thoughts
The Jets’ final record ends 8-9, with some great wins but also some terrible losses.
But they defy expectations and have a strong foundation heading into 2026.
