The NFL released the schedule for all 32 teams Thursday night and one theme for the Jets is the front-heavy AFC East schedule.
The team will play five divisional matchups in the first nine weeks, the exact opposite of last season when the Jets played five AFC East games in the closing nine weeks. The only remaining AFC East game will take place Week 17 against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on New Years Eve day. In theory, the season finale in New England should be the only divisional road game with the potential of inclement weather — the Jets kick off the 2017 season in Buffalo and visit Miami in late October.
Buffalo Bills
For the first time in 15 years, the Jets will open the season in Orchard Park in what will be new Bills head coach Sean McDermott's first game. It also marks the first time in eight years the Green & White kick off the season on the road. The team will most likely dodge cold weather in Buffalo yet again as the Jets played the Bills in Week 2 last season in a 37-31 Jets victory. This year will also be the third consecutive year that these teams will square off on Thursday Night Football.
Fun fact: This will be the 12th time the Jets and Bills play in Week 1 (10th in BUF), but the first time on the road since 2002. The Jets are 8-3 in all openers against Buffalo (6-3 on road).
Week 1 (Sep. 10): Jets @ Bills 1:00 PM New Era Field
Week 9 (Nov. 2): Jets vs. Bills 8:25 PM MetLife Stadium
Miami Dolphins
The Jets and Dolphins will complete their 2017 series following Week 7, a reversal from last season where these teams didn't first meet until Week 9. The Green & White will first host the 'Fins in Week 3 before taking their talents to South Beach in Week 7 for a warm weather getaway.
Week 3 (Sep. 24): Jets vs. Dolphins 1:00 PM MetLife Stadium
Week 7 (Oct. 22) Jets @ Dolphins 1:00 PM MetLife Stadium
New England Patriots
The last time these teams played each other in the season finale was 1998. This year marks the first time in Jets history to both close the year in New England and play on the road on New Year's Eve. Last season, the Jets and Pats had two late meetings in Weeks 12 and 17 whereas the 2017 matchups are separated by 10 weeks (Weeks 6 and 17).
Week 6 (Oct. 15): Jets vs. Patriots 1:00 PM MetLife Stadium
Week 17 (Dec. 31): Jets @ Patriots 1:00 PM MetLife Stadium
