How will Zach Wilson fare in 1st year with the Jets? Game by game predictions.

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How will Zach Wilson fare in 1st year with the Jets? Game-by-game predictions

Today 7:45 AM

Game-by-game predictions for Zach Wilson's first season with the Jets. AP

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By Joey Chandler | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

With the 2021 NFL draft in the rearview mirror, let’s focus our attention on what lies ahead. How will a struggling franchise perform in the first year of the Zach Wilson era?

 

Will the No. 2 overall pick be the Jets starter in Week 1? Maybe not, but for the purposes of these way-to-early, game-by-game predictions, let’s assume he will.

 

The NFL isn’t releasing its official schedule until May 12, but since we already know the Jets home and road opponents, why wait?

 

Be sure to take these picks with a grain of salt, and let us know your own predictions on how the Jets will fare coming off a successful draft selection full of promising rookies.

 

 

HOME

 

 

vs. Buffalo

 

 

Let’s start off this list with a bold prediction. Wilson leads the Jets to victory, avenging last year’s loss at MetLife. Jets fans rejoice.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 24, Bills 17

 

 

vs. Miami

 

 

The Jets don’t win, but unlike last season, score a touchdown against the Tua Tagovailoa-led Dolphins. Let’s go with a Wilson touchdown pass to fellow rookie Elijah Moore. The pair have already expressed excitement of teaming up on social media, with Moore tweeting: “Let’s be legendary.”

 

 

Prediction: Dolphins 35, Jets 7

 

 

vs. New England

 

 

Will Wilson go head-to-head with rookie Mac Jones? Or will it be Cam Newton? Either way, pencil in a nail-biting home win for the Jets.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 17, Patriots 14

 

 

vs. Jacksonville

 

 

Who will win in the first meeting between Wilson and Trevor Lawrence? Expect the top two overall draft picks to put on a good show in this one. Both young quarterbacks are looking to make a statement early in their promising careers.

 

Prediction: Jets 27, Jaguars 21.

 

 

vs. Tennessee

 

 

Derrick Henry runs all over the defense in this one and the Jets finish without a touchdown.

 

 

Prediction: Titans 28, Jets 3

 

 

vs. New Orleans

 

 

The Saints continue to adjust to the post-Drew Brees era in their quarterback room, but get the win.

 

 

Prediction: Saints 24, Jets 14

 

 

vs. Tampa Bay

 

 

Thanks to Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and company, the defending Super Bowl Champions prove too much for the Jets to handle.

 

 

Prediction: Buccaneers 42 , Jets 7

 

 

vs. Cincinnati

 

 

In the Joe Burrow vs. Wilson showdown, the Jets come out victorious.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 35, Bengals 28

 

 

vs. Philadelphia

 

 

Wilson and company outlast Jalen Hurts and former Jets backup Joe Flacco in a game that comes down to the wire.

 

Prediction: Jets 24, Eagles 21

 

 

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AWAY

 

 

at Buffalo

 

 

Just like last season, the Jets are unable to get the victory on the road against Buffalo.

 

 

Prediction: Bills 20, Jets 14

 

 

at Miami

 

 

Tagovailoa and the Dolphins outlast an ever-evolving Wilson-led Jets offense.

 

 

Prediction: Dolphins 28, Jets 14

 

 

at New England

 

 

It’s not easy to win at Gillette Stadium, and 2021 is no different.

 

 

Prediction: Patriots 21, Jets 3

 

 

at Houston

 

 

In what could possibly be a Davis Mills vs. Wilson matchup, the Texans hold on in front of their home crowd for the win.

 

 

Prediction: Texans 17, Jets 14

 

 

at Indianapolis

 

 

Wilson and company struggle at Lucas Oil Stadium.

 

 

Prediction: Colts 31, Jets 10

 

at Denver

 

 

The Jets came close to their first 2020 win in Game 4 against the Broncos. This time, they come through, picking up their first victory in Denver since 2010.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 27, Broncos 21

 

 

at Atlanta

 

 

Matt Ryan and company come up short against a Jets program finding their rhythm.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 21, Falcons 14

 

 

at Carolina

 

 

What will happen when former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold faces Wilson? Both players have something to prove in this one.

 

 

Prediction: Jets 24, Panthers 21

 

 

Final 2021 record: 8-9

 

 

 

 

 

[Gibby]

So they either score a sh*t ton of points - or get blown off the field?

Got it. ?

[jgb]

2 minutes ago, Gibby said:

So they either score a sh*t ton of points - or get blown off the field?

Got it. ?

Defense gonna be weak point of this team. I hope actually 

[Patriot Killa]

Weird article.

[Gibby]

32 minutes ago, jgb said:

Defense gonna be weak point of this team. I hope actually 

Perhaps. What I was really referring to was - in this prediction there were many wins that indicated the Jets score plus 30 points in wins- but get destroyed in many other and score between 3-7 points in those games.

[PS17]

Schedule is not out yet. Wilson isn’t the confirmed Week 1 starter. Other than that good stuff.

[Warfish]

My Wilson Expectations:

1. .400 or better record as a starting QB (i.e. 7-10 record or better)

2. Play all 17 Games (or all the games after he is named Starter)

3. Produce:  >3,500 Yards Passing, >23 TD's with a >2:1 TD:INT Ratio

For reference, a few recent NFL Rookie QB's Production:

Herbert (2020), 4,336 Yards, 31 TD's, 10 INT's, 6-9 Record

Burrow (2020), 2,688 Yards, 13 TD's, 5 INT's, 2-7 Record when Hurt

Murray (2019), 3,722 Yards, 20 TD's, 12 INT's, 5-10 Record

Jones (2019), 3,027 Yards, 24 TD's, 12 INT's, 3-9 Record

Mayfield (2018), 3,725 Yards, 27 TD's, 14 INT's, 6-7 Record

Watson (2017), 1,699 Yards, 19 TD's, 8 INT's, 3-3 Record in less than a Half a Season played

[jgb]

3 hours ago, Gibby said:

Perhaps. What I was really referring to was - in this prediction there were many wins that indicated the Jets score plus 30 points in wins- but get destroyed in many other and score between 3-7 points in those games.

That signifies defensive problems

[peebag]