The New York Jets entered the 2013 offseason with more holes to fill than any other team in the NFL. Their prospects this season are pretty bleak as a result.

Before analyzing the current version of the Jets, let’s review the results of their 2012 campaign.

Brief 2012 Review

Last season was a year rife with turnovers, losing steaks and offensive inefficiency.

The Jets ranked second to last with a turnover margin of minus-14. Quarterback Mark Sanchez committed more fumbles (14) than touchdown passes (13) and gave up the football a ghastly 32 times overall. The team lost an additional six fumbles.

New York also strung together multiple losing streaks that resulted in more games lost (10) than won (six). Sanchez and co experienced defeat in back to back games in Weeks 4-5, including a 34-0 embarrassment to the San Francisco 49ers. They then stumbled in three consecutive from Week 7 through Week 10, allowing 28 or more points in the process.

And for the final three contests, the Jets fell short once again, this time against the Titans, Chargers and Bills. The offense averaged a mere 12 points during this streak, not to mention just 17.6 for the season, ranking 28th among 32 NFL franchises.

If it weren’t for a No. 8-ranked total defense, this season would have been a complete lost cause for Gang Green.

Schedule Analysis

Let’s put it this way—the Jets do have an opportunity at experiencing victory lane in 2013.

After an opening week matchup with Tampa Bay in what will be dubbed, “Revis Revenge,” the Jets travel to division rival New England for another conceivable losing result.

But in Week 3, they host a Bills club that is equally flawed at the most important position. Either journeyman Kevin Kolb or rookie E.J. Manuel will be taking snaps under center. Unfortunately, the fun stops there.

The Jets play consecutive games against the Titans (road), Falcons (road), Steelers (home), Patriots (home), Bengals (road) and Saints (home) before traveling to Buffalo, followed by a trip to the Super Bowl Champion Ravens’ home turf. We’d be hard pressed to make the argument that more than one victory will arise from this stretch.

Yet, the schedule gods extend some sympathy by sandwiching matchups with Oakland and Cleveland in between two divisional battles with the Dolphins. We will make the case for three wins coming from this set.

With a presumable enough loss to the Panthers to round things out, the Jets will conclude their 2013 campaign with a 4-12 record. These are dismal prospects to be sure, but fans can take solace in the idea that they won’t fall into the total dregs of the NFL standings.

Offensive Outlook

We regret to inform that the gloomy outlooks aren’t over just yet.

Beginning where football games are so often won or lost, the Jets’ offensive line is a veritable mess on one half of its front. Right guard Stephen Peterman and right tackle Austin Howard allowed a combined 15 sacks and 82 QB hits/hurries in 2012. They are some of the worst the league has to offer when it comes to protecting the quarterback.

Thankfully, stellar pass-blocking left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and reliable veterans Willie Colon (LG) and Nick Mangold (C) offer some stability. But don’t expect these men working the trenches to move the pile in the ground game.

Speaking of which, the Jets’ corps of running backs includes Bilal Powell, Chris Ivory, Joe McKnight and John Griffin. These are all lower depth chart options and even practice squad-worthy in the case of Griffin. Neither one will attain the 1,000 yard threshold.

The pass catchers on this squad are a suspect bunch as well. New No. 1 wideout Stephen Hill was a huge disappointment during his rookie campaign last season. He has all the physical tools, but must take a considerable leap in Year 2. Jeremy Kerley, the Jets’ leading receiver from 2012, can be qualified as a nice player, while Braylon Edwards returns for another go around in New York after being cut by multiple clubs.

Ending with the white elephant in the room, the quarterback situation for Gang Green is less than ideal. Lame duck starter Mark Sanchez is all but done in a Jets’ uniform. Second-round rookie Geno Smith will provide some excitement when he is inevitably inserting into the starting lineup, but is still a few years away from being a viable NFL quarterback. And Greg McElroy is, well, Greg McElroy.

Defensive Outlook

Saving the best for last, the Jets’ top-10 defense from 2012 returns this season mostly intact.

A couple of downgrades exist at safety with Dawan Landry replacing his brother LaRon and 2012 seventh-rounder Antonio Allen taking over for Yeremiah Bell. This unit is otherwise solid from top to bottom.

Muhammad Wilkerson maintains the left side of the front as one of the higher-rated 3-4 defensive ends in the league. His right-side counterpart Sheldon Richardson, a first-round pick back in April, isn’t the best fit in this scheme, but brings plenty of talent to the position. The 6’4’’, 246-pound Kenrick Ellis is a capable run-stuffer in the middle.

Starting inside linebacker and leading tackler David Harris returns, as does veteran Calvin Pace on the outside. Demario Davis takes over starting duties from Bart Scott at left ILB, while second-year man Quinton Coples transitions to right OLB. None of these backers are proficient against the run, but all possess some pass-rushing abilities for the most part. Coples will be the man to watch in this group.

Lastly, the 6’2’’ Antonio Cromartie and highly regarded first-round talent Dee Milliner will lock down the starting cornerback spots. That will enable Kyle Wilson to man the slot, an area in which he is most comfortable.

Overall, the Jets’ defensive contingent will keep the team afloat in 2013—however far above water that will actually be.

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