It seems like time is flying in this NFL off-season. Even though the draft feels like yesterday, the NFL revealed its full slate of games for the 2023-2024 season this past Thursday. The Jets’ schedule was one of the most anticipated in the entire NFL; with the addition of Aaron Rodgers to the team’s young core, it was expected that the Jets would have plenty of primetime matchups.
That expectation has become a reality for the Jets. In this upcoming season, the team will play six different nationally-televised games. It is a drastic shift from the team’s previous seasons. Not only will the Jets be playing on Sunday Night Football for the first time in over a decade, but they will also be making appearances on Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football.
With this in mind, I figured I would highlight some of the Jets’ most pivotal matchups and give a way-too-early record prediction for the team’s 2023 season.
Week 1:(September 11, 8:15 p.m. ET): vs. Buffalo (Monday Night Football)
The Jets kick off their season with a pivotal divisional matchup against Buffalo. Playing their first primetime home opener since September 11, 2011, it will be an emotional and exciting atmosphere. Football-wise, this game provides an instant test to see how the Jets stack up against the top teams in the AFC. Buffalo is once again set to be one of the best teams in the AFC, and if the Jets can defeat them in Week 1, it will set the season off in the right direction.
Week 3: (September 24, 1 p.m. ET): vs. New England
After traveling to Dallas the week prior, the Jets have a chance to finally clear the Patriots hurdle that has been plaguing them for years. It is another pivotal divisional matchup that, with a victory, can set the Jets up for a very successful start to the season.
Week 4: (October 1, 8:20 p.m. ET): vs. Kansas City (Sunday Night Football)
In what should be one of the most anticipated games early in the season, the Jets face off against the reigning Super Bowl Champions. This will be the first-ever matchup between Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, as the two never were on the same field when the Packers and Chiefs played in past years. For the Jets, it is another early season test against one of the best teams in the conference. Along with the Buffalo game, this matchup should give a good barometer of where the team stacks up in the AFC.
Week 6: (October 15, 4:25 p.m. ET): vs. Philadelphia
If anything is certain, the Jets will be tested heavily early in the season. The Jets host the Philadelphia Eagles in another matchup against one of the best teams in football. The Jets will be tested against an Eagles defense that has only added more talent and an offense led by Jalen Hurts, one of the best quarterbacks in football. In addition, the Jets will look to finally beat the Eagles; in their 12 all-time matchups, the Jets have yet to win a single one.
Week 8: October 29, 1 p.m. ET): @ New York Giants
The battle of New York, or New Jersey if you really want to be technical about it. This game should be entertaining, as the Giants have one of the best coaches in football in Brain Daboll, and a talented offense led by Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. It is another test for the Jets against a playoff team from the previous season.
Week 9: (November 6, 8:15 p.m. ET): vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Monday Night Football)
In the Jets’ second Monday Night Football game of the year, they host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. This has the potential to be a fascinating game between Rodgers and Herbert, two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In addition, it gives the Jets another opportunity to cement themselves as a top-tier team in the AFC.
Week 12: (November 24, 3 p.m. ET): vs. Miami (Black Friday, 3 p.m.)
The Jets face off against the Dolphins in the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game. Aside from the uniqueness of the game’s timing, this game provides a battle between two teams that should be battling for playoff seeding and potentially a division title. The Jets and Dolphins usually match up very well, so this should be a closely contested game that could significantly impact the back half of the season.
Week 18: Week 18 (January 6 or 7, TBD): @ New England
The Jets close out their season in Foxborough against the Patriots. While it is impossible to predict the playoff situation for the Jets at this time, this game provides another opportunity for the Jets to beat the division rival that dominated them for years.
As for my way-too-early record prediction, the full schedule with wins and losses attached can be found below.
Week 1 (September 11, 8:15 p.m. ET): vs. BUF (Monday Night Football)- Win
Week 2 (September 17, 4:25 p.m. ET): @ DAL- Win
Week 3 (September 24, 1 p.m. ET): vs. NE- Win
Week 4 (October 1, 8:20 p.m. ET): vs. KC (Sunday Night Football)- Loss
Week 5 (October 8, 4:25 p.m. ET): @ DEN- Win
Week 6 (October 15, 4:25 p.m. ET): vs. PHI-Loss
Week 7: Bye
Week 8 (October 29, 1 p.m. ET): @ NYG- Win
Week 9 (November 6, 8:15 p.m. ET): vs. LAC (Monday Night Football)-Win
Week 10 (November 12, 8:20 p.m. ET): @ LV (Sunday Night Football)-Loss
Week 11 (November 19, 4:25 p.m. ET): @ BUF-Loss
Week 12 (November 24, 3 p.m. ET): vs. MIA (Black Friday, 3 p.m.)-Win
Week 13 (December 3, 1 p.m. ET): vs. ATL-Win
Week 14 (December 10, 1 p.m. ET): vs. HOU-Win
Week 15 (December 17, 1 p.m. ET): @ MIA-Win
Week 16 (December 24, 1 p.m. ET): vs. WAS-Loss
Week 17 (December 28, 8:15 p.m. ET): @ CLE (Thursday Night Football)-Win
Week 18 (January 6 or 7, TBD): @ NE-Win
Final Record: 12-5
It is still too early to solidify predictions for the upcoming season. There’s still a good amount of time before training camp starts, and teams can still change the complexion of their rosters until then.
But as things stand today, I see the Jets as an 11 or 12-win team. While their schedule is challenging at the start, the Jets are not exactly a pushover anymore. Between their talented defense and an offense led by Aaron Rodgers, this team should be a tough out for any opponent they face this year. I see the Jets having plenty of success against most of their opponents this season, as they competed with the best teams in their conference with the worst quarterback situation in football.
Things can change on a dime in this league. But as of May, I see the Jets having plenty of success this season. If that stays the case heading into training camp and the regular season, then this should be a season that the team and its fans will remember for years to come.