Which opponent could surprise the NFL landscape?
EA: I’ve gone back and forth on this one. The Dallas Cowboys had a strong offseason and Dak Prescott, who was limited to eight games last season due to a hamstring injury, is still an awfully good quarterback. I could see the Pats and Jets ascending, and the Jags are an interesting team to watch. But I’ll give a nod to the Broncos, a club that made the postseason last year and will give the Chiefs all they want in the AFC West. Is this the year the Steelers finally finish below .500?
EG: The Falcons. Atlanta has impressive skill players like WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts, but I’m interested to see what QB Michael Penix does in Year 2, and his first as the team’s starter. If he’s able to make a sophomore jump, the Falcons’ offense could be one of the better units in the league. The Falcons also poured resources into their defense that includes a pair of first-round pass rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. That defense is now led by former Jets DC Jeff Ulrbich.
RL: Dallas isn’t normally a surprise team, but “America’s Team” can return to NFL relevance with Dak Prescott back under center and George Pickens joining CeeDee Lamb at WR after the ‘Pokes’ down 7-10 season in ’24.
CH: I think one opponent that the Jets are facing that could really surprise the NFL this season is the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Jaguars went 4-13 last year, QB Trevor Lawrence was out after Week 9 when he sustained a concussion and a season-ending shoulder injury. With Lawrence back in the mix, the addition of WR/CB Travis Hunter and a new front office with HC Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone, I think they could look like a different team in 2025. When Lawrence was healthy in 2022 and 2023, the Jags went 9-8 in both seasons.
What is the most difficult stretch of the schedule?
EA: The Jets’ opening six-pack of games is tough. Four of their first six opponents made the playoffs last…
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