New York Jets 2011 Schedule: Must Watch Games

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The New York Jets continue their quest for a Super Bowl berth this season after ending the last two seasons with losses in the AFC title game. 

The Jets have improved this season with the additions of Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, giving Mark Sanchez new options on offense, as well as sealing several key re-signings such as Santonio Holmes and Wayne Hunter. For the most part the Jets have virtually the same team as last season, which isn't bad at all considering they've made deep playoff runs the last two seasons.

This year's preseason has proved the Jets have high and lows on both sides of the football but still look good enough to contend among the leagues best.

Here are the must watch games on the 2011 season as the Jets fight to make it to the Super Bowl. 

Week 1: Dallas Cowboys

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The Jets open up the season at home on Sept. 11 against the Dallas Cowboys and the return of Tony Romo.

The Cowboys aren't expected to be an elite Super Bowl contending team the way they were last year, and after this preseason that might be the best thing for the Cowboys. Romo is looking very good, especially in the game against Minnesota where we completed 15-of-20 passes with no interceptions. Second-year Cowboys Dez Bryant is also looking sharp, as well as running back Felix Jones. 

With the Jets looking to finally reach the Super Bowl after two AFC title game losses and the Cowboys looking to come up from under the shadow of a shameful season this should be a wild and entertaining opening to the season.

Week 4: @ Baltimore Ravens

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The game against the Ravens in Week 4 promises to be an epic clash of two of the leagues best defenses. 

Even more interesting is the quarterback battle among the defensive war. Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco are both QB's looking to establish themselves among the elite in the league. In his third year, Sanchez will continue to strive for improvement, especially in terms if completion percentage and passer rating. Flacco, on the other hand, is coming off a career year which ended in one of his worst games against the Steelers in the playoffs.

This game will give us an insight as to where these two quarterbacks stand against formidable defenses. 

Week 5: @ New England Patriots

No need to explain this matchup. Two of the best teams in the league, one division, one fierce rivalry.

Take a moment and relive what happned the last time these two teams met. 

Week 7: San Diego Chargers

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Any time you get to see an elite quarterback against and elite defense, it's a must watch game. This time it's Philip Rivers coming to town..

The Chargers are coming off a disappointing season and are looking to rebound this season and take back the AFC West title. The Chargers will be dangerous this season and this will be a good test for the Jets defense against Rivers and his two favorite options Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates.

Week 10: New England Patriots

Round two out of a very possible three between these two rivals. The importance of this game will be determined by who wins Game 1 and how both teams have faired through half of the season.

Here's a little reminder of how Rex Ryan felt before the second regular season matchup, and we all know how that one ended.

Week 15: @ Philadelphia Eagles

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This game has heavy potential of being a Super Bowl XLVI preview.

The Eagles are sporting a "dream team" roster this season after signing nearly every big name free agent in the offseason. By Week 15 we will know where these two teams are headed and we can assume, although carefully, that both teams will be in the playoffs. 

What will be most important about this game will be where both teams are in the standings, especially since both play in two of the league's toughest divisions. This game is sure to have huge playoff implications with plenty of match-ups to look out for.

Week 16: New York Giants

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The two big apple rivals will finally meet again for the first time in the regular season since 2007, on Christmas Eve.

While the Giants are expected to make a deep playoff run, and in some circles not even expected to make the playoffs at all, this game has the potential to make or break playoff dreams for both teams depending where they stand at this point in the season. 

What makes this game most intriguing is season Plaxico Burress in a Jets uniform against the Giants. In case you've been living under a rock, Burress is the man who made the game winning catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.