NFL New York Jets

5 Opponents the New York Jets Need To Beat In 2015

5 Opponents the New York Jets Need To Beat In 2015

New York Jets huddle
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets fell way short of a playoff berth in 2014, ending the season with a 4-12 record and last in the AFC East. They will need to make big changes in 2015 if they expect a different outcome. They've already started by making some coaching changes which will hopefully prove beneficial for the team. Here are the five opponents they will need to defeat in order to step up to the next level and begin challenging for the division again.

5. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills special teams
Getty Images

5. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills special teams
Getty Images

First and foremost, the Jets need to be able to win against division opponents in order to be successful. They failed to defeat the Bills last season; in fact, they were not even close. The Buffalo Bills have been improving a lot over the past few years and could be a tough opponent again in 2015. It's important that the Jets win at least one of these two games to challenge for a spot in the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel and Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns
Getty Images

4. Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel and Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns
Getty Images

No team ever wants to give up what should be an easy win at home. We can all agree, Cleveland has its issues, especially on the offensive side of the ball. In a tough division, the Jets simply cannot afford to lose against subpar teams like this at home -- especially AFC teams. Therefore, they need to find a way to pull out this win.

3. Houston Texans

J.J. Watt Houston Texans
Getty Images

3. Houston Texans

J.J. Watt Houston Texans
Getty Images

The Jets will travel to Houston in the 2015 season, which could be a statement road game for them. It will be important to get a few key wins on the road in order to contend for the playoffs, and this could be one of them. It's never easy going up against J.J. Watt and Co., but it would definitely be a huge win for them.

2. Miami Dolphins

New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
Getty Images

2. Miami Dolphins

New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
Getty Images

The Dolphins are another team making big strides and proving they are contenders in the AFC East. One of the Jets' four wins in 2014 came against the Dolphins in the final game of the season, and they need to duplicate that in 2015. They will play the Dolphins at home and in London this season, and I think they have every chance of sweeping their division foes.

1. New England Patriots

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The defending Super Bowl champs are always a tough matchup. But ironically, the Jets usually play them well. They fell just short in both matchups in 2014 but contested them until the very end. I think it will make a huge statement if they can defeat the Patriots at least once in 2015.

Share Tweet