Outlook: Jets vs Division Rival NE Patriots

The Pats are one of the elite teams in the league! QB T. Brady has tremendous weapons in R. Moss, D. Stallworth, W. Welker, and B. Watson. The Jets defense should be strong against the pass this year, but weak against the run. If the Pats line can establish a running game with L. Maroney then these games will NOT be close.

The Jets offense could move the ball if passing conditions are friendly (not cold and windy). But the later game is likely to be cold and windy and the Jets offense led by weak-armed QB C. Pennington is likely to struggle against a talented Pats D.

The Jets special teams are one of the best groups in the league, but this won't be enough.

Bottom-line: The gap between the Pats and Jets is too wide. Expect the Pats to win both games.

Outlook: Jets vs Division Rival Miami

Miami's offensive line is a mess and the aging veteran QB T. Green is likely to struggle. The under-sized Jets defense should match-up well and they should be able to get pressure (and maybe some picks).

Miami's defense is Jason Taylor and a bunch of other guys. If the Jets can overload his side and run right at him the offense should be able to move the ball.

Bottom-line: Miami is rebuilding and the Jets are a better team. These games are always tough, but the Jets are likely to win both.

Jets Trade LG P. Kendall to Washington Redskins

The deal is finally done. Any trade that does not end with Kendall on Miami’s offensive line is a win for the Jets. Given the recent spike in OG free agent contracts, the team should have paid him the extra $1M. Kendall was the best OG on the team, played well last year, and should have at least 1 good year left. But the Jets front office decided it was time to move on. Let’s see if the rookie OL J. Bender can open some running lanes against the Giants D-line in preseason game #3. If he plays well the Jets could be OK, but if A. Clarke is the starter the entire left side of the line could struggle as O-line play is not a simple sum-of-the-parts function.

The bottom line is that this move makes the Jets weaker in the near-term, but gives the team flexibility to improve the team for the long-term. Given that the Jets are unlikely to be an elite team as long as C. Pennington is at QB this approach may be wise.