New York Jets 2012 Schedule: Does Tim Tebow Trade Mean More Wins?

According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the New York Jets have acquired Tim Tebow via trade with the Denver Broncos:

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Breaking news: Ny Jets have just traded a 4th round pick for Tim Tebow

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"—Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 21, 2012"

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UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the trade may not occur:

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Filed to ESPN (1): Denver and Jets have encountered hangup in language in Tim Tebow's contract that could nullify trade.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2012"

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UPDATE 2: According to ESPN, the trade has gone through.

And whether the skeptics choose to believe this or not, but Tebow is a good fit for the Jets. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano ran the wildcat in Miami and when used correctly, can be quite effective.

Also, the Jets had a versatile player in Brad Smith from 2006-2010. Smith acted as a return specialist, read-option quarterback and slot receiver. Tebow can provide a mix of the wildcat and read-option package, while also presenting as a straight scrambling threat.

In short yard situations and around the red zone is where Tebow will work best. That said, let's break down Gang Green's schedule and see if Tebow can tally another win or two.

AFC East: Bills, Patriots, Dolphins (both home and away)

The obvious tough games here are the two against New England and Buffalo. The Bills have upgraded their defense and the Pats remain the atop the division until proven otherwise.

Miami right now, is in shambles after not landing Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn and are entering a rebuilding period on offense. Remaining in New York, though, is a solid defense that can shutdown the Dolphins, who have only a decent rushing attack and developing quarterback in Matt Moore.

New England still has Tom Brady and after how well Bill Belchick's defense performed down the stretch, besting the Pats twice is no easy task. Include a stellar offense and quickly improving defense and the Jets get swept by New England.

Buffalo is new to the "increased expectations" scene after improving the defense and having great hope at the beginning of last season. The Jets defense is capable of slowing the Bills potentially explosive offense, but Buffalo's defense can do just that against the Jets offense.

Expect two defensive battles between the Bills and Jets, but Miami is at the bottom and the Pats remain the standard.

AFC East Record: 3-3

AFC Non-Division: Texans, Colts, at Jaguars, at Titans, Chargers, at Steelers

It's not a brutal AFC schedule outside the division, but it's not an easy one either. The Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers will be extremely difficult as all have outstanding defenses.

The Titans have a few question marks, as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be turning 37 years old early next season and the defense ranked No. 18 overall and No. 24 against the run.

The San Diego Chargers added depth at receiver, but the Jets still have Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, so the Bolts won't outscore them. And, the Chargers defense must improve as they ranked No. 20 against the run; which gives the Jets with Tebow a big advantage.

Indianapolis, much like Miami, is rebuilding and even with the No. 1 overall pick, the Jets have too much on defense to get beat by a rookie quarterback. Getting back to the Texans, Jaguars and Steelers, the Jets simply need to shutdown the run and control the clock on offense.

Last season Gang Green ranked No. 13 against the run and it was their defensive weakness aside from only recording 35 sacks. The addition of Tebow spruces up the running game and presents a little bit of a passing threat (just ask Pittsburgh from the AFC Wild Card).

In turn, this will help the defense add some stud during the draft's mid rounds and have more time to adjust accordingly during games.

AFC Non-Division Record: 4-2

NFC West: Cardinals, 49ers, at Rams, at Seahawks

Say what you want about the NFC West, but this division continue to get better and better. During the second half of last season, Arizona and Seattle combined for an 11-5 record. San Francisco was one fumbled punt from the Super Bowl and the Rams are headed in the right direction.

Here, the Jets defense will slow down St. Louis' offense as the Rams remain in dire straits without any legit receivers. Seattle has an improved offense and the defense is solid, but much like Arizona, needs to be more consistent.

As for the Cardinals, they closed 2011 with a 7-2 record and really need Kevin Kolb to pick his game up. The running game has potential and with Larry Fitzgerald out wide, the passing game always remains a threat.

Special teams plays a big role for Arizona as well, because Patrick Peterson took four punts back for touchdowns, and was selected above Devin Hester for first-team All-Pro return man.

The 49ers on another level, have arguably the NFL's best defense and a significantly improved offense. 

Against all these teams, the Jets will need to stack the box to stop the run and double-team the best receiving threat. All have excellent run defenses, so unless New York enhances its own receiving corps via the draft, Gang Green's defense will have to win the game.

NFC West Record: 2-2

Summary

Overall Record: 9-7

The Jets finish at 9-7, which although isn't up to Rex Ryan's standards, could be much worse.

New York simply has a very difficult schedule and with all the defensive talent and addition of Tebow, the Jets will scrap to nine wins.

Now, Mark Sanchez has been gradually improving (although minimal), so provided that he can take further strides toward his development, only then will the passing game will hit another level.

Adding a stud receiving prospect in the draft like Notre Dame's Michael Floyd or South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery will immediately give Sanchez a fade-threat in the red zone. Dustin Keller is one of the better and more complete tight ends in the game, so his production next season is vital.

9-7 as we saw in 2009, was also good enough to get the Jets into the postseason. And as we've seen from Gang Green that year and in 2010, all that matters is qualifying for the playoffs.

Sanchez has played miraculously well in January, so the addition of Tebow will make the Jets more threatening in the red zone and short yard situations.

John Rozum on Twitter.