Zach Wilson's absence risks derailing Jets' season

The Jets' 2022 schedule comes with an interesting quirk: Their first four games are entirely against AFC North opponents. Now, we know Zach Wilson won't be available for at least three of those games, putting an early dent in New York's hopes to snap an 11-year playoff drought. 

Robert Saleh's announcement that Wilson won't play until Week 4 at the earliest means Joe Flacco is slated to start games against the Ravens, Browns and Bengals. 

Though the former Super Bowl MVP has kept turnovers fairly low even in his worst years, it hasn't been enough to win games consistently — or win much at all. Flacco is just 3-15 in his last 18 starts dating back to 2018 with the Ravens. 

New York is a significant underdog against the Ravens and will likely face the same fate against the Bengals in Week 3. While the Browns will be forced to start backup Jacoby Brissett in Week 2, Flacco's outlook still isn't promising. Cleveland was one of seven teams to allow fewer than 200 passing yards per game in 2021. 

Wilson struggled for most of his rookie season, but with a better supporting cast and a gifted arm, he at least would give the Jets a chance against the hard-nosed defenses of the AFC North. Flacco limits New York's ceiling in a way that could throw the Jets' season off the tracks before October. 

If Flacco and the Jets can't pull off an upset in one of these games, Wilson might jump right into a must-win scenario against the Steelers in Week 4. Only one team in NFL history has started 0-4 and still reached the playoffs: the 1992 Chargers. In fact, only one team this century has reached the playoffs after starting 0-3. 

While the 17th game and extra playoff spot might give teams easier paths to overcoming slow starts, early-season adversity is the last thing the Jets need after winning six games over the last two years.