Jets' full 2025 schedule with predictions

NEW YORK — The Jets received six prime-time games each in the last two seasons.

After the Aaron Rodgers era officially ended in March, the Jets’ 2025 schedule reflects that.

After the schedule was released on Wednesday night, we know Gang Green will have two prime-time games this upcoming season. That does not include the Jets’ Week 6 game in London against the Broncos.

The Aaron Glenn/Darren Mougey era will begin at home against the Steelers and possibly Rodgers. Pittsburgh is still waiting to hear whether Rodgers will play for them this fall or retire.

Unlike the last couple of years, the Jets’ expectations are low after Rodgers, Davante Adams and C.J. Mosley were all released this offseason. With that in mind, it’s time for The Daily News to make early predictions on the Jets’ schedule:

— Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS

Not only could the season opener signal Rodgers’ return to MetLife Stadium, but Justin Fields will be facing his former team. Fields was traded to the Steelers last offseason after three years with the Bears.

Fields began the season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback and had a 4-2 record during that span. However, after Russell Wilson recovered from his preseason calf injury, Fields was benched and used only sparingly. The Steelers made the playoffs under Wilson, but went on a five-game losing streak to end the year, including their wild-card loss against the Ravens.

Given the Steelers’ uncertainty at quarterback, this game is challenging to predict. However, I will give it to the Jets for now.

Prediction: Jets 20, Steelers 17

Record: 1-0

— Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS

Buffalo is once again the favorite to win the AFC East. The Jets lost both games to the Bills last season, but Gang Green tends to play Buffalo tough at MetLife Stadium.

Prediction: Bills 24, Jets 16

Record: 1-1

— Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox

Jets fans will see a recognizable face in Week 3 when they face the Buccaneers in their first road game of the season. This will be the Jets’ first game against Todd Bowles since he became the Buccaneers’ coach in 2022. Bowles was the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator in 2021 when they visited MetLife Stadium 2021.

Tampa Bay has made the playoffs five straight years and won the NFC South four years in a row.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Jets 20

Record: 1-2

— Week 4: Monday, Sept. 29 at Miami Dolphins, 7:15 p.m., ESPN

Last year, the Jets played their two matchups against the Dolphins late in the season. But Gang Green will travel to Miami early on Monday Night Football in a critical AFC East matchup.

The Dolphins are coming off a disappointing 8-9 season in 2024, which likely has their general manager, Chris Grier, coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa all on the hot seat. The Jets and Dolphins split the season series last year.

Prediction: Dolphins 27, Jets 17

Record: 1-3

— Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m., Fox

Week 5 will mark the Cowboys’ first trip to MetLife Stadium this season. They will also visit the Giants in the season finale on Jan. 4.

Brian Schottenheimer is now the Cowboys’ coach after Mike McCarthy was not retained. Quarterback Dak Prescott should also be back after injuring his hamstring last season, which was one of the reasons Dallas finished 7-10.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Jets 20

Record: 1-4

— Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12 vs. Denver Broncos (London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), 9:30 a.m., NFL Network

The Jets will face their fourth playoff team in six games when they play the Broncos in London. This will mark the sixth straight regular-season meeting between the two teams.

Denver (10-7) is coming off its first playoff appearance since 2015, when the team won Super Bowl 50.

Prediction: Broncos 21, Jets 17

Record: 1-5

— Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox

Carolina enters its third season with quarterback Bryce Young, but this will be the second year with Dave Canales as coach. The Panthers finished third in the NFC South last year with a 5-12 record, which was an improvement from their 2-15 record in 2023.

Prediction: Jets 27, Panthers 23

Record: 2-5

— Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS

Believe it or not, the Bengals have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. They finished 9-8 both years, but that was not good enough to qualify for the postseason.

We know Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will be on the Bengals roster. But pass rusher Trey Hendrickson’s status is up in the air after he recently stated he will need a new contract if he plays for Cincinnati in 2025.

Prediction: Bengals 34, Jets 24

Record: 2-6

— Week 9: BYE

— Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS

Following their Week 9 bye, the Jets will face a Browns team with some doubts about the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing a second surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will vie for the role.

Prediction: Jets 24, Browns 14

Record: 3-6

— Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 13 at New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video

Unlike last season, the Jets won’t play the Patriots for the first time until the second half of the season. In 2024, the Jets played the Patriots twice within the first eight weeks.

Mike Vrabel will now lead the charge for New England after the team fired Jerod Mayo following a 4-13 record. Before the Patriots hired him, Vrabel interviewed for the Jets coaching position.

Prediction: Patriots 27, Jets 21

Record: 3-7

— Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23 at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS

Glenn and the Jets will get a close view of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and a Ravens team on the cusp of reaching the Super Bowl. A year ago, Baltimore made it to the AFC Divisional Round before losing to Buffalo.

The Ravens should again be the favorites to claim the AFC North throne. This could potentially be the most challenging game on the Jets’ schedule.

Prediction: Ravens 34, Jets 13

Record: 3-8

— Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., Fox

Atlanta hoped to make the playoffs under first-year coach Raheem Morris a season ago. But the Falcons finished 8-9 and had a losing record for the seventh straight season.

Michael Penix Jr. will be the Falcons’ permanent starting quarterback after replacing Kirk Cousins last season due to poor play.

Prediction: Jets 23, Falcons 20

Record: 4-8

— Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS

The Jets and Dolphins will have their second game of the season at MetLife Stadium in early December. This will be one of three potential cold-weather/snow games in 2025 for Miami, a team not known to perform well in cold conditions.

Prediction: Jets 24, Dolphins 21

Record: 5-8

— Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS

Jacksonville will begin a new era this season, with coach Liam Coen hoping to lead the team from a 4-13 record last season to the playoffs. The Jets will also get their first look at rookie Travis Hunter, who hopes to play wide receiver and cornerback on offense and defense.

Gang Green defeated Jacksonville last season, but that was without Trevor Lawrence, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Jets 20

Record: 5-9

— Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., CBS

It has been an eventful week for the Saints organization. Quarterback Derek Carr suddenly retired after suffering a right shoulder injury this offseason.

No. 40 overall pick in this year’s draft, Tyler Shough figures to have the inside track to start at quarterback for New Orleans. But he will also compete with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Prediction: Jets 20, Saints 17

Record: 6-9

— Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28 vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS

The Jets’ home finale will be against their long-time rival. In addition to adding Vrabel as coach this offseason, New England acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis, and left tackle Will Campbell, the No. 4 overall draft pick.

Prediction: Patriots 21, Jets 20

Record: 6-10

— Week 18: at Buffalo Bills, TBA

The Bills could decide to rest their starters in their second matchup against the Jets. Last season, Buffalo did a similar thing against the Patriots during the 2024 season finale.

But Buffalo could also be going for homefield advantage throughout the AFC in Week 18, which is what I’m predicting here. Also, there’s no love lost between the Jets and Bills and Buffalo would love nothing more than to end Gang Green’s season with a loss.

Prediction: Bills 35, Jets 17

— Jets final season prediction: 6-11

In Glenn’s first season in charge, there shouldn’t be any playoff expectations from fans. Yes, I understand the Jets haven’t made the postseason since 2010, but it will take him time to build and develop his culture. Hopefully, Jets fans will be patient with Glenn and Mougey.