The New York Jets definitely got better on paper in the offseason, acquiring CB Antonio Cromartie and WR Santonio Holmes in trades to bolster an already strong team that came within a half of making it to the Super Bowl last year.  However, Jets QB Mark Sanchez will need to find a way to develop his leadership skills quickly in his second year and take advantage of the talent around him while also improving his sometimes shaky play.  Sanchez tossed 20 interceptions and lost three fumbles as a rookie but has the poise and potential to lead the Jets to the Super Bowl.  New York head coach Rex Ryan should not have any problems with his NFL-best defense unless the egos he feeds get the best of him (like CB Darrelle Revis), and RB Shonn Greene is expected to have a breakout year and replace veteran Thomas Jones as the team’s leading rusher.

Odds to win AFC East Division: +130

Odds to win the AFC Conference: 6/1

New York Jets Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: 10/1

Regular Season Wins Total Line: 9.5

*all odds quoted from Bodog*

Following is a breakdown of this season’s schedule for the Jets:

Week 1             Monday, September 13, 2010    vs. Baltimore Ravens

Analysis: Ryan will face his former team for the first time in a matchup of two of the early-season favorites to win the AFC on Monday Night Football.

Week 2             Sunday, September 19, 2010    vs. New England Patriots

Analysis: Both teams enter the season as co-favorites to win the AFC East, and the Jets will get an opportunity to prove themselves with divisional games each of the next three weeks.

Week 3             Sunday, September 26, 2010    @ Miami Dolphins

Analysis:. The Dolphins swept the Jets in two meetings a year ago, scoring 30 points or more both times against the NFL’s top defense.

Week 4             Sunday, October 3, 2010          @ Buffalo Bills

Analysis: The Bills return home following back-to-back road games at Green Bay and New England.

 

Week 5             Monday, October 11, 2010        vs. Minnesota Vikings

Analysis: The Vikings will be coming off a bye week and start a brutal five-game stretch against playoff teams from last year.

Week 6             Sunday, October 17, 2010         @ Denver Broncos

Analysis: The Broncos play the first of two straight home games against the Jets following consecutive road games at Tennessee and Baltimore.

Week 7             — BYE WEEK —

Week 8             Sunday, October 31, 2010         vs. Green Bay Packers

Analysis: The Packers visit New York in between difficult home games against Minnesota and Dallas before their bye week.

Week 9             Sunday, November 7, 2010       @ Detroit Lions

Analysis: The Jets play their next two games on the road against teams that combined to go 7-25 last year.

Week 10           Sunday, November 14, 2010     @ Cleveland Browns

Analysis: The Browns will be hosting their second straight AFC East opponent after New England visits the previous week.

Week 11           Sunday, November 21, 2010     vs. Houston Texans

Analysis: The Jets set the table for last year’s successful campaign with a 24-7 win at Houston in the opener en route to a 3-0 start.

Week 12           Thursday, November 25, 2010 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: Cincinnati must visit the Colts, Jets and Steelers during a period of five weeks with home games against the Bills and Saints in between.

Week 13           Monday, December 6, 2010       @ New England Patriots

Analysis: The Jets surrendered nine points to New England at home in the first meeting last year but gave up 31 on the road in the second.

Week 14           Sunday, December 12, 2010     vs. Miami Dolphins

Analysis: New York could possibly win or lose the division between this home game against Miami and last week’s visit to New England.

Week 15           Sunday, December 19, 2010     @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: The Steelers host the Jets in the middle of a three-game homestand, which will also be the return of former Super Bowl MVP Holmes to Pittsburgh.

Week 16           Sunday, December 26, 2010     @ Chicago Bears

Analysis: The Bears have to play their two toughest divisional games of the season on the road before and after this home game against the Jets.

Week 17           Sunday, January 2, 2011          vs. Buffalo Bills

Analysis: The Bills finish their season by playing three straight games against divisional foes, including road games at Miami and New York.