NEW YORK JETS

2012 Odds:
(For the latest Odds, connect to Sportsbook.com)
Odds to Win AFC East: 11/2
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 12/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 25/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 8.5

2012 Preview:
Offense:
“Ground and pound” wasn’t former OC Brian Schottenheimer’s style. However, things will be different under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who preached power running recently in Miami and Dallas. It will be a change from the zone-blocking scheme the Jets ran under former offensive line coach Bill Callahan, so there could be growing pains. Expect a heavy dose of Shonn Greene, though Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight should see an uptick in playing time since Sparano typically has used a time-share backfield. The Jets will surely work in some single-wing-type sets for Tim Tebow, who should see an average of up to 10 reps per game.

Sparano wants to run a lot of play-action and get the ball downfield. But while Mark Sanchez has the feet and athleticism to make the play-action part work, he’s never been an accurate downfield passer. Santonio Holmes is by far their best receiver, but rookie Stephen Hill, who’s expected to start, is a better fit in this scheme. TE Dustin Keller is Sanchez’s safety blanket; he and slot man Jeremy Kerley would normally be his favorite targets, but in this offense they’re likely to be secondary targets. With Plaxico Burress gone, the Jets are unlikely to throw in the red zone as often as they did last season.

Defense:
Say what you will about their antics and propensity to run their mouths, but the Jets defense continue to back up its talk. The one exception last year was the pass rush, where Gang Green is hoping rookie first-rounder Quinton Coples will help. If he does, it will allow David Harris to blitz less and commit to the run more often, which will improve a Jets rushing defense that was inconsistent at times in 2011. Darrelle Revis continues to be the best shutdown corner in the game, and the team is hoping that LaRon Landry will make an impact at the safety position after coming over from Washington. Landry’s health is a question mark again as he’s coming off a major Achilles injury and opted against surgery.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
QB Tim Tebow (from Broncos)
QB Kevin O’Connell (from Chargers)
WR Chaz Schilens (from Raiders)
OT Stephon Heyer (from Raiders)
PK Josh Brown (from Rams)
S Yeremiah Bell (from Dolphins)
S LaRon Landry (from Redskins)

SUBTRACTIONS
G Robert Turner (Rams)
S Brodney Pool (Cowboys)
S Gerald Alexander (released)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 20.63 (10th toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - Buffalo
Week 2 - at Pittsburgh
Week 3 - at Miami
Week 4 - San Francisco
Week 5 - Houston
Week 6 - Indianapolis
Week 7 - at New England
Week 8 - Miami
Week 9 - BYE WEEK
Week 10 - at Seattle
Week 11 - at St. Louis
Week 12 - New England
Week 13 - Arizona
Week 14 - at Jacksonville
Week 15 - at Tennessee
Week 16 - San Diego
Week 17 - at Buffalo

StatFox Take: This is a tough team to figure out, as the Jets seemingly improved this offseason. But they have a tough schedule, especially to start the season. The Jets can certainly begin the year 2-5 and have five road games in their final eight contests. Considering the odds are 4-to-6 for this team to win nine or more games, take the plus money here and expect another season of .500 or worse.
Prediction: UNDER 8.5 wins (+120)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, August 5
Cincinnati Bengals - Monday, August 6
Cleveland Browns - Tuesday, August 7
Pittsburgh Steelers - Wednesday, August 8

AFC South
Houston Texans - Thursday, August 9
Indianapolis Colts - Friday, August 10
Jacksonville Jaguars - Saturday, August 11
Tennessee Titans - Sunday, August 12

AFC West
Denver Broncos - Monday, August 13
Kansas City Chiefs - Tuesday, August 14
Oakland Raiders - Wednesday, August 15
San Diego Chargers - Thursday, August 16

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1