Team » New York Jets
New York Jets
The 2015 New York Jets were the only team with a winning record not to reach the NFL Playoffs, but they hope to build off of their success entering the 2016 season. The Jets are one of the most balanced teams on both sides of the football in the AFC. The team finally ended the contract dispute with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, which should ease Jets fans' minds as he returns to pair with Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall, Eric Decker, Kenbrell Thomkins, and former Ohio State stars Devin Smith and Jalin Marshall form an intriguing wide receiver group. While the Jets lost Pro Bowl running back Chris Ivory to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, they replace him with former All-Pro Matt Forte, whom the Chicago Bears decided not to bring back. The offense should be balanced, but what makes the Jets a threat is their, at times, dominating defense. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are two of the best in the league, and if second year defensive end Leonard Williams continues to improve, opposing offenses will have a hard time moving the football. The Jets drafted Ohio State star outside linebacker Darron Lee in the first round of the draft, and expect his role to increase as the season goes on. A strong secondary behind cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Calvin Pryor makes this defense one of the best in the NFL. New York Jets fans are among the most loyal and passionate in the league, and team merchandise and signed items are always popular with online shoppers. If the Jets offense can get up to speed following the holdout of Fitzpatrick and the addition of Forte, expect this team to compete for AFC East supremacy. The rival New England Patriots will be a tough team to surpass, but the loss of quarterback Tom Brady for four weeks helps, and the Jets should finish ahead of the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. The AFC East will be a division race worth watching in 2016.