New York Jets

Top 5 quarterbacks Jets will face in 2016

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:36 a.m. ET

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As the New York Jets prepare for the upcoming season, they face a brutal schedule this time around. Here are the top five quarterbacks that they will face in 2016.

Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before the game against New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Each season there are quarterbacks who take the NFL by storm and show everyone how dominant they can truly be. However, at the start of every season fans sit and wonder what their team’s schedule will look like as they prepare themselves for the possible quarterbacks they will face.

For the Jets, they get ready for a tough season filled with good to great quarterbacks. It won’t be easy but some of the quarterbacks they are scheduled to face won’t be a walk in the park to be one step ahead of them.

Without ado, here are the top five quarterbacks the Jets are set to face this upcoming season.

Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. Quarterback Andrew Luck

Luck came off 2015 with one of his worst seasons in his career. Most of the time in his games he seemed flustered and frustrated. It was as if he was aiming to make a big play instead of methodically moving the ball down the field.

The problem with aiming for those big plays 90% of the times you drop back is that if you are not on target, those passes are going to the other team. He ended last season with career lows in every category except interceptions, which was a career high for him.

In 2015 he threw for only 1,881 yards and had thrown only 15 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. His completion percentage was a meek 55.3% which is unheard of for someone of his caliber.

Luck usually is the offensive player that the Indianapolis Colts lean on to push their team to the next level. However, he became one of the big problems on offense last season. The Colts have taken a step to add to the talent surrounding him and are hoping he learns from the mess of a season he had last season.

Look for Luck to do what most of the quarterbacks are doing this season and proving the doubters wrong and showing that last season was his version of a sophomore slump.

Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

4. Quarterback Carson Palmer

Palmer ended 2015 as one of his best seasons in his thirteen-year career. He played to almost an MVP-like level and has been one of the top quarterbacks ever since entering the Arizona Cardinals offense.

He and the other weapons on the Cardinals’ offense have turned this team into a very explosive offensive team. However, Palmer will still need to prove himself come 2016 due to him hardly being consistent in his performances over the years.

He ended last year with a total of 4,671 passing yards for 35 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. He also boasted a 63.7 completion percentage.

Look for Palmer to try and prove to the doubters that last season was not a fluke and that he can truly play on that level. If he does bring everything he has then the Cardinals could be a huge threat to any team’s defense and can run the points if they get on a roll. The Jets will have their hands full when preparing for Palmer.

September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Quarterback Russell Wilson

Wilson ended 2015 like a different quarterback and became more of a gunslinger than his usual calculated self. This change especially came to a shock from all Wilson’s naysayers who said he is only a “game manager” and couldn’t sling the ball around the field. This change in Wilson came right after running back Marshawn Lynch went down to injury.

For the first time in Wilson’s career, he crossed the 4,000 passing yard marker and ended the season with 34 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. What was most impressive is that with his change from a pocket passer to a more Brett Favre-like quarterback, his completion percentage ended at a 68.1%, which is incredible.

Look for Wilson to continue this change in his game especially after having success in it. The Seahawks are left with Thomas Rawls at running back but are also carrying one of the best receiving corps in the league with the likes of Jimmy Graham, Jermaine Kearse, and Doug Baldwin. The Jets must contain him consistently to limit the damage Wilson can cause.

2. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger had the best season of his career last season and seems to just be getting better and better with age. It also doesn’t hurt to have star wide receiver Antonio Brown as one of your weapons. He and Brown seemed like they could not be stopped as they consistently made amazing plays almost every game.

Roethlisberger ended the 2015 season with 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He had a completion percentage of 68% and totaled 3,938 passing yards.

This upcoming season, look for Roethlisberger to not only increase his stats if he stays healthy, but will be a real problem to any defense that is looking to sack him. Especially with him being known to be one of the most difficult quarterbacks to take down after initial contact. The Jets’ defensive line will have their work cut out for them.

Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDanials looks on with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-9. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quarterback Tom Brady

This season will see the first time Brady serving a four-game suspension that the New England Patriots have to deal with. They will be going with their backup quarterback for this slate of games. The Patriots will be looking towards backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to get the job done until Brady returns.

Despite his obvious absence in the beginning of the season, do not write Brady off as one of the top quarterbacks to face this season. He will be taking the season very seriously and will look to make a point on his return which could mean huge numbers on his return with him trying to show up commissioner Roger Goodell.

Look for Brady to have a season like he always has but with a little more passion behind it. For any team with a lackluster defense, Brady may be looking to utterly demolish every defense he faces this season especially if Garoppolo fails to break even in the first four games. This will be the ultimate test for the Jets as they do their best to win the AFC East in 2016.