In our never-ending quest for Jets football hegemony, it is time for an analysis of their schedule for the 2005 campaign. First, let me say that the Jets have as good a shot as any other team in the AFC East to win big. The fact that they were a field goal away from the AFC Championship last year in spite of nagging injuries to QB Chad Pennington is a testament to his character and the resourcefulness of Coach Edwards. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and the re-acqusition of Laveranues Coles can only improve things. (By the time the season starts, I vow to be able to spell Heimerdinger and Laveranues without the need to check)!

Second, the landscape in the division has changed as well. Miami is still in rebuilding mode in spite of the return of Ricky Williams. Their QB situation is still unclear and does not give Dolphin fans confidence. New England also seems to be one the verge of coming down to earth. Losing both offensive coordinator Charle Weiss to Notre Dame and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to the Browns will undoubtedly take its toll. Also, losing two starting linebackers and an offensive lineman isn't going to help either. Buffalo is still a question mark in my mind, having what should be a great ground attack but being vulnerable in other areas.

So the Jets do have some potential to dominate their division. But usually when Base10 looks at the schedule he just assumes they will go .500 in their division games, on the theory that division games are closely contested because teams play each other so often. So let's start there: 3-3 record in AFC East play.

Our other AFC rivals are from the AFC West. The West is shaping up to be a pretty good division. The Chargers look tough, but the Chiefs are beatable and so are the Broncos. The Raiders look good this year but they have allot of question marks: Will Kerry Collins hold up as QB? Will former-Jet Lamon Jordan be able to cut it as an every-down back? Will Randy Moss implode when he finds that he's not getting the ball from Collins? I'm going to say that the Jets will take Denver and Kansas City games and win one of the Oakland and San Diego matchups. Record against the AFC West: 3-1.

The Jet's NFC rivals are the probably weak NFC South. We play the Buccs, Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina. Frnakly, I think the Jets could beat every team in the South, but let's assume a loss to either Carolina or Atlanta. Record against the NFC South: 3-1.

Our two other games are based on records against AFC rivals Jacksonville and Baltimore. Let's asume a loss to Baltimore and a win against a rebuilding Jacksonville team. Non-Division Conference Games: 1-1.

Total record: 10-6.

Let the drum roll begin. This is Base10's official pre-season prediction for the Jets this season. While Base10 reserves the right to change his opinion at any time and claim he felt that way all along, this is still an official prediction.

- posted by Base10 @ 8:46 AM