The Jets, who were 10-6 and losers in the AFC divisional playoff round to the Steelers last season, open the 2005 season with a Sept. 11 game in Kansas City, where both Herman Edwards and Jets’ GM Terry Bradway truly cut their teeth for their respective current jobs. Edwards was a former scout and assistant coach with the Chiefs and Bradway was a former scout and player personnel man.
The Jets, too, will make three nationally-televised appearances, with an Oct. 24 Monday nighter in Atlanta and a Dec. 26 Monday Night marquee game against the rival Patriots at Giants Stadium. They, too, will play the Saints in a home 8:30 p.m. Sunday game on Nov. 27.
Their final three games of the season come against AFC East opponents – Dec. 18 at Miami, Dec. 26 vs. New England and Jan. 1 vs. Buffalo, both at home. Four of their last six games are at home.
Edwards (35-29 in four regular seasons) has a 21-18 record against the 2005 opponents. He’s 2-2 in season openers with the Jets.
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DATE (DAY) OPPONENT TIME, TV
Sept. 11 (Sun.) at Kansas City 1 p.m. , Ch. 2
Homecoming for new Jets RB Derrick Blaylock, signed this offseason as a free agent.
Sept. 18 (Sun.) MIAMI 4:15 p.m., Ch. 2
Home opener against Dolphins’ rookie head coach Nick Saban.
Sept. 25 (Sun.) JACKSONVILLE 1 p.m., Ch. 2
Chad Pennington vs. Byron Leftwich in battle of the Marshall QBs.
Oct. 2 (Sun.) at Baltimore 4:05 p.m., Ch. 2
Curtis Martin and Kevin Mawae vs. Ray Lewis. Always a fun matchup.
Oct. 9 (Sun.) TAMPA BAY 1 p.m., Ch. 5
Herman Edwards against his former team, though many of his guys are gone.
Oct. 16 at Buffalo 4:15 p.m., Ch. 2
Can the Jets stop Willis McGahee? They couldn’t last year.
Oct. 24 (Mon.) at Atlanta 9 p.m., Ch. 7
The Jets get to deal with Michael Vick on national television.
Oct. 30 Bye
Nov. 6 (Sun.) SAN DIEGO 1 p.m., Ch. 2
Rematch of wild-card game. Maybe Eric Barton will keep cool in this one.
Nov. 13 (Sun.) at Carolina 4:05 p.m., Ch. 2
No Bubby Brister. No Sam Mills. No shovel passes in this one.
Nov. 20 (Sun.) at Denver 4:15 p.m., Ch. 2
Can the Jets stop the mighty Ron Dayne?
Nov. 27 (Sun.) NEW ORLEANS 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Giants Stadium at night might be intimidating for the Saints.
Dec. 4 (Sun.) at New England 4:15 p.m., Ch. 2
First meeting with Bill Belichick minus his coordinators.
Dec. 11 (Sun.) OAKLAND 1 p.m., Ch. 2
Maybe Raiders will be in contention and Jets can avenge those playoff losses in Oakland.
Dec. 18 (Sun.) at Miami 1 p.m., Ch. 2
A welcome warm December weekend in Miami.
Dec. 26 (Mon.) NEW ENGLAND 9 p.m., Ch. 7
This one could be for the division title.
Jan. 1 (Sun.) BUFFALO 1 p.m., Ch. 2
Will it be a happy New Year for the Jets?
All times Eastern. Home games in CAPS