New York Jets
New York Jets The New York Jets are putting the brief Brett Favre era behind them and looking to the future. With expectations always high in the Big Apple and fifth overall pick Mark Sanchez already anointed the savior for Gang Green before he has even thrown an NFL pass, fans shouldn't expect too much too soon from Rex Ryan's squad.

The Jets have been handed the league's seventh-toughest schedule so things are not going to be easy for New York in 2009. Odds makers are calling the Jets a 45/1 long-shot to win Super Bowl XLIV, while New York is about a 20/1 shot to win the AFC. However unlikely, but seemingly more in the realm of possibility, Vegas is calling the Jets odds to win the AFC East 8/1.

The Jets made wholesale changes in the offseason, replacing Eric Mangini at head coach with former Baltimore defensive coordinator
Rex Ryan and then traded into the top 5 in April to select USC quarterback Mark Sanchez to replace the departed Brett Favre.

New York also made a splash in the free-agent market by signing former Ravens, Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard to solidify their defense.

However, New York's new-look defense will have to take a big hit because of the loss of linebacker Calvin Pace. Pace will miss the first four games of the regular season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.

Even before Pace's suspension, one would have expected some growing pains in New York. Take a look at the Jets' first four games: at Houston, vs. New England, vs. Tennessee, at New Orleans. One would expect 2009 to be a long season in New York.

If the Jets are not 0-4 after the first quarter of the season, I will be very surprised.