New York Jets 2024 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The New York Jets are a team that could see a completely different result to their season if they get a fully healthy season from QB Aaron Rodgers. It is tough to judge their offensive output last season due to the fact that they had a below average backup starting for them every game at quarterback.
With all of that considered, their defense still showed why they can win the division. They have one of, if not, the best defense in the NFL. At all three levels of the defense, they are loaded with talent.
In the offseason, they lost key pieces such as SAF Jordan Whitehead and EDGE Bryce Huff. With the losses, came plenty of additions. On the offensive side of the ball, they added WR Mike Williams, G John Simpson, LT Tyron Smith, and QB Tyrod Taylor. If Rodgers is not healthy for the full season, Taylor gives the Jets a much higher floor than they had last year. On defense, the team added SAF Chuck Clark, DT Leki Fotu, and DT Javon Kinlaw.
They took flyers on plenty of veterans past their primes or guys who have had their battles with injuries, but if things bounce their way, they will be a very good team.
The Jets open the season with another Monday Night Football game, this time in San Francisco to face the reigning NFC champions. They then travel to Tennessee to play the Titans in Week 2 before hosting the Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 and the Denver Broncos in Week 4. In this opening stretch of games, I have the Jets winning 3 of 4.
They then travel to London in Week 5 to face the Vikings, before coming back to East Rutherford to host the Bills for a Week 6 Monday Night Football matchup. Then travel to play road games against the Steelers and Patriots for weeks 7 and 8. To close out October, they welcome the Texans to play a Halloween Thursday Night matchup. I will give the Jets another 3 wins.
They then get 10 days off before traveling to Arizona and then playing the Colts at home. They have a Week 12 bye week, which is extremely favorable. I have them winning the only 2 games they play in November.
Their December/January gets pretty busy. They host the Seahawks in Week 13 before an extended trip to Florida as they play the Dolphins and then the Jaguars in back-to-back weeks. They play the Rams in Week 16 before traveling to Buffalo and then hosting the Dolphins to end the season. In this final stretch of games, I have the Jets winning 2 games.
The Jets have 4 short weeks and an additional game that you might throw in the same category due to overseas travel. With that being said, they drew a lucky bye that is later in the season.
My prediction is that the Jets go 10-7, tying the Bills for most wins in the division. I also suspect that the two teams each win a game against each other, meaning they will look to the tiebreaker of the divisional record.
2023 Record: 7-10
2024 Prediction: 10-7
