The New York Jets pushed all their chips to the middle of the table for the 2023 season when they added quarterback Aaron Rodgers and numerous weapons to the offense.
The Jets are expected to challenge not only the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East but believe they can contend in the entire conference and make a run to the Super Bowl. Their early-season schedule will give them a big test right out of the gate, and we’ll quickly find out if this team is for real.
In fact, their challenge to the Bills will start immediately. New York will host Buffalo on Monday night in Week 1, the Jets’ first appearance on “Monday Night Football” since 2020.
Following the opener, the Jets turn around on a short week and head down to Dallas for a date with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. We’ve all seen Rodgers’ history against the Cowboys. He’ll get another crack at them early. Dallas is ready to try and make another run in the NFC following losses to the 49ers two years in a row in the playoffs.
In Week 3, the Jets have their first matchup against the New England Patriots. If there was ever a time for the Jets to end their long losing streak in this series, now would be the time. New York has dropped 14 straight games against New England. Should the Jets beat the Bills in Week 1, this would also give them an opportunity to quickly start 2-0 in the division, which could go a long way when it comes to tiebreakers.
Then in Week 4, it’s arguably the big one. It’s the Jets’ first appearance on “Sunday Night Football” in 12 years, and it just so happens to be against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. You just had to think this game would be a lock for a prime-time slot. Rodgers vs. Mahomes? The reigning kings coming to New York? This is going to be a huge litmus test early for the Chiefs.
Then, as of all that wasn’t enough, Week 6 brings the other Super Bowl LVII team to MetLife as the Jets host the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. The New York defense will certainly have their hands full against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense.
That’s four playoff teams, including the two teams that played in the Super Bowl in February, within the first six weeks of the season for the all-in Jets. Ideally, the Jets come out of their first six games at least 4-2. Maybe 3-3 is OK, but given the expectations this year, maybe not. 4-2 feels like the bare minimum if this team wants to feel good about themselves the rest of the way.
