NOT THERE YET

Prediction: Gang goes 9-7, no playoffs

The new-look Jets will kick off the season in primetime and feature a number of intriguing matchups as they hope to break an annoying seven-year playoff drought. Todd Bowles’ team opens up in Detroit for a Monday Night matchup against a familiar foe on the opposing sideline. Matt Patricia, the former Patriots defensive coordinator, makes his head coaching debut in the Motor City against a team that he knows fairly well from his days inside the gates of Foxborough’s Evil Empire. The Sept. 10 lid-lifter in Motown will be Gang Green’s first Monday night game since a humiliating 4110 loss to the Colts at MetLife Stadium late in the 2016 season that had some impulsive folks calling for Todd Bowles’ ouster.

Then comes a potential ratings bonanza in Week 3 when Gang Green travels to Cleveland – yes, that Cleveland – for a possible showdown between two of the Big Four quarterbacks from this draft class. Sam Darnold vs Josh Rosen? Josh Allen vs Baker Mayfield? Sam Darnold vs Baker Mayfield? Baker Mayfield vs The World?

Nobody knows which hot-shot rookie signal callers will be in the building on Sept. 20, but this could be a doozy.

It also might be a snoozer if the first-year quarterbacks aren’t starting yet. Real talk: Josh McCown vs. Tyrod Taylor doesn’t quite have the same buzz. Although two of the first three games are in primetime, Gang Green might not play under the lights again. (Kickoff for the Week 15 game against the Texans is TBD).

Bowles’ Jets, coming off back-to-back 5-11 campaigns, will play three of their first four games on the road before having two three-week stretches when they won’t have to leave New Jersey (Weeks 5-7 and 10-12).

The Jets will “welcome” their top free-agent target Kirk Cousins and the Vikings in Week 7. Bowles’ team will play five of its six division games in the second half of the season, including both contests against the Bills and Patriots. Gang Green will finish the regular season in Foxborough for the third consecutive season. Here’s a game-by-game analysis and prediction for the 2018 season:

WEEK 1 AT LIONS, SEPT. 10, 7 P.M., MNF

The Baker Mayfield Era begins in the Motor City. (Unless it doesn’t). Rookie head coach Matt Patricia leaves The Evil Empire to face a familiar foe in primetime in his debut. Prediction: Loss (0-1)

WEEK 2: VS DOLPHINS, SEPT. 16, 1 P.M.

Adam Gase’s team was embarrassed last year at MetLife Stadium. It’ll be more competitive this time around with Ryan Tannehill (or Josh Rosen?!) under center, but Gang Green will prevail. Prediction: Win (1-1)

WEEK 3: AT BROWNS , SEPT. 20, 8:20 P.M., TNF

Josh Allen vs Baker Mayfield? Sam Darnold vs Baker Mayfield? Baker Mayfield vs The World? I’m getting giddy just thinking about it. The battle of rookie quarterbacks should give juice to an otherwise juiceless game. Prediction: Win (2-1)

WEEK 4 AT JAGUARS, SEPT. 30, 1 P.M.

Doug Marrone basically has an all-star defense with six of his 11 starters coming off Pro Bowl or All-Pro seasons. Sprinkle in beast Leonard Fournette on the other side of the ball and we’re talking about a real Super Bowl contender. Good luck, Gang Green. This ain’t going to be easy. Prediction: Loss (2-2)

WEEK 5 VS BRONCOS, OCT. 7, 1 P.M.

Josh Rosen vs Baker Mayfield? Time will tell. Either way, Gang Green kicks off perhaps the “easiest” quarter of its season feeling good. Prediction: Win (3-2)

WEEK 6: VS COLTS, OCT. 14, 1 P.M.

Andrew Luck might be well-rested, but let’s not pretend that rust won’t be a factor. I’m the de facto president of the bearded wonder fan club, but he can’t do it all himself. Indy will infuse their roster with young talent thanks to a litany of draft picks (including two second-rounders this year from Gang Green), but this rebuild won’t happen overnight. Frank Reich’s defense is a construction zone. Todd Bowles’ team isn’t losing this one. Prediction: Win (4-2)

WEEK 7 VS VIKINGS, OCT. 21, 1 P.M.

Well, well, well. Kirk Cousins might not have been interested in visiting New Jersey before spurning the Jets in free agency, but Mr. You-Like-That? will have no choice but to face the Gang Green crazies at MetLife Stadium. Real talk: The Vikings are far and away the better team. Good luck trying to move the ball against Minnesota’s suffocating defense. Prediction: Loss (4-3)

WEEK 8 AT BEARS, OCT. 28, 1 P.M.

Rookie coach Matt Nagy will do wonders for Mitchell Trubisky, but I’m putting good money on Todd Bowles’ defense to stymie the second-year signal caller and enter the mid-point of the season over .500. Prediction: Win (5-3)

WEEK 9 AT DOLPHINS, NOV. 4, 1 P.M.

Do you trust the Jets not to gag away a double-digit fourthquarter lead in South Beach this year? Hmmm… Prediction: Loss (5-4)

WEEK 10 VS BILLS, NOV. 11, 1 P.M.

The Jets can’t afford to lose this game if they want to make a real playoff push after their bye. Prediction: Win (6-4)

WEEK 12 VS PATRIOTS, NOV. 25, 1 P.M.

Two weeks to prepare for the GOAT and Hoodie? Who could ask for anything more? But seeing is believing. And I’m not marginalizing the long-time rules of the AFC East just yet. Prediction: Loss (6-5)

WEEK 13 AT TENNESSEE, DEC. 2, 4 P.M.

Marcus Mariota remains an enigma. Rookie coach Mike Vrabel has the Patriots pedigree, but make no mistake: The Jets can – and will – steal this road game if they can hold Derrick Henry (fantasy alert!) in check. Prediction: Win (7-5)

WEEK 14: AT BILLS, DEC. 9, 1 P.M.

I don’t need to remind Todd Bowles that it isn’t easy winning in Orchard Park. But it becomes a lot easier if you’re facing A.J. McCarron, Nathan Peterman or a rookie quarterback. Prediction: Win (8-5)

WEEK 15: VS TEXANS, SATURDAY, DEC. 15, TBD

Was Deshaun Watson’s early success before his season-ending knee injury a fluke? I’m still not convinced he’s the real deal. J.J. Watt will also be motivated to reclaim his place atop the Best Defensive Player in the league throne after missing the final 11 games of 2017 with a broken leg. But the Jets extend their winning streak to a season-high three games. Prediction: Win (9-5)

WEEK 16 VS PACKERS, DEC. 23, 1 P.M.

The Bad News: The Jets were shut out the last time Aaron Rodgers came to MetLife Stadium (9-0 in 2010). The Good news: The Jets made the AFC Championship Game that same season. Rodgers, coming off a broken collarbone last year, will likely be on his own personal F.U. Tour. Oh, and Muhammad Wilkerson will have plenty of incentive to stick it to his former team too. Prediction: Loss (9-6)

WEEK 17: AT PATRIOTS DEC. 30, 1P.M.

Tom Brady might hate Bill Belichick (and vice versa), but their shared hatred for the Jets is stronger. Hopefully, Jamal Adams listened to his mother and puts on a shirt during pre-game warmups. Either way, Gang Green needs to beat their biggest foes to make the playoffs. Alas, the Empire prevails. Prediction: Loss (9-7)… and the Jets miss the playoffs.