The NFL has officially released the 2021 schedules for all 32 teams featuring the first 18-week season. Let’s take a look at the New York Jets’ lineup:
Preseason week 1
Jets at New York Giants
TBD
Preseason week 2
Jets at Green Bay Packers
TBD
Preseason week 3
Jets vs Philadelphia Eagles
TBD
Week 1
Jets at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, September 12th, 1:00 PM EST
Robert Saleh and the Jets open their season in Carolina against a couple of familiar faces: Robby Anderson, the former 2016 undrafted free-agent who signed with the Panthers via free agency in the 2020 offseason, and Sam Darnold, the former 2018 third-overall pick who the Jets traded back in early April. It’s New York’s first outing with an entirely new team headed by Zach Wilson vs Carolina’s first look at a well-balanced roster headed by Sam Darnold. This storyline makes for an intriguing matchup to watch league-wide.
Week 2
Jets vs New England Patriots
Sunday, September 19th, 1:00 PM EST
Gang Green hosts the Patriots in their home opener at MetLife Stadium. This is the team’s first in-division matchup of the year and the first of two matchups with New England. Zach Wilson gets his first look at the notorious AFC East rivals. Former Jet Henry Anderson gets his shot at a revenge game.
Week 3
Jets at Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 26th, 4:05 PM EST
The Jets head to Mile High for a matchup against the Broncos. A rematch of last year’s week 4 Thursday night game with new and improved rosters on both sides.
Week 4
Jets vs Tennessee Titans
Sunday, October 3rd, 1:00 PM EST
This game is, as most are, a game of containing Derrick Henry and the Titans’ offense. One former piece of that dominant 2020 Tennessee offense has a new home: Corey Davis, who is set for a revenge game in his new stomping grounds.
Week 5
Jets at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, October 10th, 9:30 AM EST
New York and Atlanta will go international in 2021, playing one of the two scheduled NFL games in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As the away team, the Jets benefit from this, as a stadium across the world holds no home-field advantage for the Falcons, essentially canceling out an away game for Gang Green. Former Falcon Jeff Ulbrich, who gets an oddly-circumstantial revenge game, and Robert Saleh, look to stop a potentially dominant Atlanta offense.
Week 6
BYE
Following a long week of traveling, the Jets get a much-needed and timely break.
Week 7
Jets at New England Patriots
Sunday, October 24th, 1:00 PM EST
The second of their two matchups, Gang Green travels to New England, concluding their season series. The Jets get the Patriots games out of the way early on in the season.
Week 8
Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, October 31st, 1:00 PM EST
This matchup features two of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks in Zach Wilson and Joe Burrow going head-to-head. A defense lead by Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich looks to contain a handful of Cincinnati weapons as former Bengal Carl Lawson gets his shot at a revenge game in his new stomping grounds.
Week 9
Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Thursday, November 4th, 8:25 PM EST
The Jets and Colts seem to find themselves on the schedule every year. The NFL continues the Super Bowl III storyline with a Thursday night primetime game.
Week 10
Jets vs Buffalo Bills
Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 PM EST
New York, coming off a Thursday night game, hosts Buffalo after an extended week of rest and preparation. Zach Wilson meets Josh Allen and the Bills offense for the first time. This is the first of their two matchups.
Week 11
Jets vs Miami Dolphins
Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 PM EST
Continuing the in-division theme, New York hosts Miami a week after Buffalo. The matchup features two ascending teams, one a year ahead of the other. A potential preview of many entertaining and competitive years to come. The first of their two games.
Week 12
Jets at Houston Texans
Sunday, November 28th, 1:00 PM EST
It seems uncertain who Houston will have under center going head-to-head with Zach Wilson, but one thing we do know, this could play out as a revenge game featuring a couple of former Jets in Jordan Jenkins and Neville Hewitt.
Week 13
Jets vs Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, December 5th, 1:00 PM EST
Barring any injuries or unexpected moves, former Jet Joe Flacco won’t get his shot at a revenge game, and we’ll see a Jalen Hurts vs Zach Wilson matchup. Joe Douglas’ former club will travel and face off with his new, hand-crafted team. Former Eagle Vinny Curry is set for his revenge game.
Week 14
Jets vs New Orleans Saints
Sunday, December 12th, 1:00 PM EST
The Jets host the Drew-Brees-less Saints in MetLife Stadium. Former Saint Sheldon Rankins is set for a revenge game in East Rutherford.
Week 15
Jets at Miami Dolphins
Saturday, December 18th OR Sunday, December 19th, time TBD
New York travels to Miami for the second of their two games, concluding the season series.
Week 16
Jets vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, December 26th, 1:00 PM EST
An obviously highly anticipating game, one that many will have circled on the schedule. This holiday matchup will feature the first and second overall picks, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. The two worst NFL teams in 2020 will go head-to-head with their new rosters, staff, and quarterbacks. Former Jaguar Keelan Cole has his revenge game teed up.
Week 17
Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
January 2nd, 1:00 PM ET
A matchup that fans know all too well: Tom Brady, along with his reigning Super Bowl champion team, travel to MetLife Stadium for a late-season matchup with the Jets. New York meets up with Brady for the first time since his departure from New England. Zach Wilson faces off against Brady and former Jet Todd Bowles, who makes his homecoming and looks to a revenge game.
Week 18
Jets at Buffalo Bills
January 9th, 1:00 PM EST
Another year, another season finale in Orchard Park. Gang Green travels to Buffalo, concluding the 17-game season with their second and final matchup with the Bills.
