NY Jets game-by-game predictions ahead of NFL Week 1 (2024)

Throughout the NFL regular season, there's ups and downs and twists and turns we'll never expect or see coming.

Last season for the Jets, it was QB Aaron Rodgers going down to a season-ending Achilles' injury only four snaps into his debut for Gang Green.

With Rodgers back and fully healthy, the expectations are sky high for the organization, with a front office making moves this offseason to show that if it doesn't work out, there could be some big time changes in the Meadowlands come the end of the regular season.

So what will it be: Can the Jets end the longest professional drought in North American sports (13 seasons) and make some noise in the playoffs or even contend for a spot in the AFC Championship game, or will they flame out and an aging roster isn't able to get the job done leading to wholesale changes come next offseason?

Here's our game-by-game and record prediction for the Jets this upcoming season:

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m., Sept. 9, FOX

Rodgers' comeback tour begins in his home state, where the rust shows from his time off as the reigning NFC champion 49ers' stifle Rodgers and Co. to close out Week 1 of the season. Pick:49ers 17, Jets 13.Record: 0-1.

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., Sept. 15, CBS

The Jets' get their first victory of the Rodgers era as they cruise to a win over the Titans with wide receiver Garrett Wilson having his first big game with his new quarterback Pick:Jets 27, Titans 13.Record: 1-1.

Week 3: vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m., Sept. 19, Amazon Prime

MetLife Stadium will be the loudest it's been in quite some time for take two of Rodgers' home debut in front of the Jets' faithful. The four-time NFL MVP won't be needed much in the organization's largest victory of the season. Pick: Jets 31, Patriots 7. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos 8:15 p.m., Sept. 29, CBS

Rookie QB Bo Nix is able to build off his preseason success early on in his Broncos' tenure, but ultimately Gang Green's defense steps up big with a late stop. Pick: Jets 24, Broncos 21. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings (London), 9:30 a.m., Oct. 6, NFL Network

The Jets' hot start continues, as Rodgers defeats his former division foe across the pond as the franchise gets off to their best start in nearly a decade (4-1 record in 2015).Pick:Jets 27, Vikings 17 .Record:4-1.

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m., Oct. 14, ESPN

This is undoubtedly going to be an emotional return given the near exact same circ*mstances (opponent, stadium and on Monday night) when Rodgers got hurt last year.While the Jets' still pulled off the upset last year, Bills' QB Josh Allen spoils Rodgers' revenge against Buffalo. Pick:Bills 20, Jets 17.Record:4-2.

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m., Oct. 20, NBC

Going into Pittsburgh for a night game is never an easy task, let alone who is under center for the black and yellow. The Jets' narrowly avoid the upset as Greg Zuerlein kicks a game-winning field goal as time expires.Pick:Jets 23, Steelers 20.Record:5-2.

Week 8: at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., Oct. 27, CBS

It's the first time the Jets' don't have to face Brady or Belichick in Foxboro in more than two decades, leading to a second consecutive win at Gillette Stadium.Pick:Jets 20, Steelers 10.Record:6-2.

Week 9: vs. Houston Texans, Oct. 31, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime

It's no trick that the Jets are playing their third game in 11 or fewer days for the second time already this season. This catches up with them in this one as Gang Green falls to fellow superior AFC powerhouse Texans' as QB C.J. Stroud goes off for 350+ passing yards and three touchdowns in a shootout from the Meadowlands to start Week 9 on Halloween. Pick:Texans 31, Jets 27.Record: 6-3.

Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals, Nov. 10, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Jets seem rejuvenated following the mini bye week, as Rodgers continues his success at State Farm Stadium.Pick:Jets 28, Cardinals 17.Record:7-3.

Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 17, 8:20 p.m., NBC

In their final home game prior to the bye week, running back Breece Hall has one of his best games of the season, rushing for nearly 200+ yards as the Jets' are in cruise control from start to finish in this one. Pick:Jets 21, Colts 14.Record:8-3.

Week 12: BYE

Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 1, 1 p.m., FOX

Despite having one of the worst records in the NFL, the Seahawks give the Jets' fits all game long, with Gang Green escaping with a win Pick:Jets 24, Seahawks 20.Record:9-3

Week 14: at Miami Dolphins, Dec. 8, 1 p.m., CBS

It's a hot and humid one in Miami, with the Jets' offense having one their worst performances of the season down in South Beach. Pick:Dolphins 27, Jets 13.Record:9-4

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 15, 1 p.m., FOX

The Florida road trip in December goes awry for the Jets, as they drop both games in the Sunshine State as they continue to battle with the Dolphins (more on them later) for positioning atop the AFC. Pick:Jaguars 23, Jets 14.Record:9-5.

Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Dec. 22, 1 p.m., CBS

Gang Green avoids their first three-game losing streak of the season as they rebound with a dominant win over new Rams' QB Stetson Bennett with starter Matthew Stafford injured. Pick:Jets 28, Rams 10. Record:10-5

Week 17: at Buffalo Bills, Dec. 29, 1 p.m. CBS

A snowstorm sweeps through the Buffalo area the night before and during the game, making for a low scoring contest with kicking not an option due to high winds as the Jets' come away with arguably their most important win of the season. Pick:Jets 16, Bills 8.Record:11-5

Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins, Jan. 5, TBD, TBD

This game ultimately decides who is crowned division champion. The Dolphins, who have had trouble playing consistent football in January in past seasons, find a way to get the job done at MetLife in the season finale, pushing Rodgers' and the Jets down to the first wild card team in the AFC. Pick:Dolphins 24, Jets 21.Record:11-6