Jets strength of schedule 2025: New York has major disadvantage compared to rest of AFC East

The 2024 season did not go how the New York Jets wanted it to go. 

The team had high hopes with veteran Aaron Rodgers under center, but the veteran was unable to improve the team's fortunes and New York ended with a 5-12 record.

As a result, the team decided to move on from the veteran this offseason and replace him with Justin Fields. 

Fields is looking to finally cement his place in the league after disappointing with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers. The passer was unable to fend off Russell Wilson for the starting job in Pittsburgh last season. 

The team also brought in a new head coach and general manager, so there is optimism that 2025 will be a better season. However, now that we know every team's opponents, it looks like another tough season could be in store for the Jets. 

Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis uses the projected 2025 win totals from Vegas oddsmakers to calculate the difficulty of each team's schedule instead of 2024 win totals.

Based off of these implied 2025 win totals, the Jets have the 16th-hardest schedule, so right in the middle of the league. However, the other three AFC East teams all have easier schedules than the Jets. 

The New England Patriots have the second-easiest schedule, the Buffalo Bills have the fifth-easiest, and the Miami Dolphins have the ninth-easiest. 

The order of the schedule will be released on Wednesday. However, we know the team's opponents: 

• Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys
• Away:  Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars

Of course, the Jets will play each of the AFC East opponents twice and will also play the NFC South and AFC North. 

The AFC East, save for the Bills, has been down in recent years, but even that may not be the case in 2025. The Patriots spent a ton of money in free agency and have a young, promising quarterback in Drake Maye. 

The Dolphins, meanwhile, didn't have the flashiest offseason, but still boast a dynamic offense and a competent coaching staff. 

The Jets, meanwhile, will hope that Fields can do what Rodgers couldn't and lead the team to the postseason.

The Jets did add some nice pieces on defense like Brandon Stephens and Andre Cisco, and perhaps most importantly, were able to re-sign standout linebacker Jamien Sherwood.

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