Jets schedule 2020 takeaways: Early Bills faceoff, West Coast trip

The Jets will get tested early in 2020 with games against playoff teams in the first two weeks of the season. Gang Green opens the season in Buffalo against the division-rival Bills and then play host to the defending NFC champion 49ers. Back-to-back West Coast games in December stand out. You wonder if the Jets …

The Jets will get tested early in 2020 with games against playoff teams in the first two weeks of the season.

Gang Green opens the season in Buffalo against the division-rival Bills and then play host to the defending NFC champion 49ers. Back-to-back West Coast games in December stand out. You wonder if the Jets will stay out West between games with the Seahawks and Rams.

Here is the full slate:

Week 1

at Bills

Sept. 13, 1 p.m., CBS

The Jets open the season against the Bills for the second straight year and third time in four years. This will be a nice test right out of the gate to see how the Jets measure up with the team now viewed as the division favorite by many.

Week 2

49ers

Sept. 20, 1 p.m., Fox

The defending NFC champs come to MetLife Stadium for the first time in eight years. The Jets will get to see what they missed out on in the 2019 draft up close in No. 1 pick Nick Bosa.

Week 3

at Colts

Sept. 27, 4 p.m., CBS

Indianapolis has a new quarterback in veteran Philip Rivers leading Frank Reich’s attack. The Jets would be desperate for a win here if they start 0-2.

Week 4

Broncos

Oct. 1, 8:20, NFL Network

This is a tough turnaround on a Thursday night after playing a road game on Sunday. The Broncos should be improved with top-pick Jerry Jeudy teaming with Drew Lock.

Week 5

Cardinals

Oct. 11, 1 p.m., Fox

Kliff Kingsbury interviewed for the Jets head coaching job in 2019 before the team hired Adam Gase. Quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins should be a potent combo.

Week 6

at Chargers

Oct. 18, 4:05, CBS

It is a homecoming for Sam Darnold, who grew up in nearby Orange County and played at USC. This is the first of three West Coast games for the Jets.

Week 7

Bills

Oct. 25, 1 p.m., CBS

Good friends Darnold and Josh Allen face off again with the future of the AFC East up for grabs. With Tom Brady gone, will one of them now become the leader in the division?

Week 8

at Chiefs

Nov. 1, 1 p.m., CBS

This is the toughest game on the schedule. It will be the Jets’ first meeting with Patrick Mahomes, whom they passed on in the 2017 draft, selecting Jamal Adams instead.

Week 9

Patriots

Nov. 9, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

The Patriots embarrassed the Jets last year on “Monday Night Football.” Now, Darnold gets to see them again in prime time and try to keep the ghosts away. The Jets have not faced the Patriots without Brady since 2008.

Week 10

at Dolphins

Nov. 15, 4:05 p.m., CBS

Will Tua Tagovailoa be under center for the Dolphins by this game or will it be old friend Ryan Fitzpatrick? The loss in Miami was the low point of the season last year. Gase does not want a repeat of that.

Week 11

BYE

Week 12

Dolphins

Nov. 29, 1 p.m., CBS

The Jets see the Dolphins for the second time in three weeks. We should have a good idea where both teams stand in the AFC East by this point.

Week 13

Raiders

Dec. 6, 1 p.m., CBS

The Jets notched one of their biggest wins of the year over the Oakland Raiders last year. This will be their first meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders. Can Henry Ruggs make the Jets regret passing on him?

Week 14

at Seahawks

Dec. 13, 4 p.m., CBS

The Jets’ last win in Seattle came in 1997. They have lost in the two trips there since. Gregg Williams will have a challenge slowing Russell Wilson.

Week 15

at Rams

Dec. 19 or 20, TBD

The second half of back-to-back West Coast games. You have to think Gase will want to keep his team out West for the week of practice.

Week 16

Browns

Dec. 26 or 27, TBD

This will be the sixth straight year the Jets have played the Browns. They have lost the last two to Baker Mayfield and Co. This is another duel between Sam Darnold and Mayfield, the first two quarterbacks taken in the 2018 draft.