New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has admitted that the 2014 fixture schedule, which has pitted his side against the New England Patriots in an away trip on a short week, presents a "huge challenge".
During the first half of the season, Ryan's team go to the San Diego Chargers before hosting the Denver Broncos on the weekend and then travelling to New England.
"Obviously that's a huge challenge," Ryan told ESPN. "It's another year where we go on the road on a Thursday night to play New England, which isn't ideal. But again, we'll be up for it.
"It is a challenge. You're facing the two best teams in the AFC last year, who played in the championship game, back-to-back. But, we'll have a lot of football to play up until that and hopefully we're hitting our stride when we play those two teams."
The Jets finished second in the AFC East with an 8-8 record last season.
