Sports Illustrated Predicts 11-win Season for Jets after 2023 NFL Schedule Release

Projecting an end to Gang Green's postseason drought in Aaron Rodgers' first season

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

There could be a bottleneck atop the AFC East division in 2023.

After the National Football League released the complete regular season schedule, Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame predicted every AFC teams' record and final division standing.

Kicking off the article with the New York Jets' division, the SI scribe projected the final AFC East standings and landed on a three-way tie for first place. Verderame has the Jets, the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills all finished with 11-6 regular season records.

In this scenario, the Dolphins earned the division title based upon tiebreaker. The Bills took second place followed by the Jets in third. Buffalo and Gang Green both earned wildcard berths in the simulation. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots were pegged for a 7-10 season.

New York Jets

Predicted record: 11–6, third AFC East (wild card)

Home: vs. Bills, 8:15 p.m., Sept. 11; vs. Patriots, 1 p.m., Sept. 24; vs. Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., Oct. 1; vs. Eagles, 4:25 p.m., Oct. 15; vs. Chargers, 8:15 p.m., Nov. 6; vs. Dolphins, Nov. 24; vs. Falcons, 1 p.m., Dec. 3; vs. Texans, 1 p.m., Dec. 10; vs. Commanders, Dec. 24.

Away: at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Sept. 17; at Broncos, 4:25 p.m., Oct. 8; at Giants, 1 p.m., Oct. 29; at Raiders, 8:20 p.m., Nov. 12; at Bills, 4:25 p.m., Nov. 19; at Dolphins, 1 p.m., Dec. 17; Browns, 8:15 p.m., Dec. 28; Patriots, TBD, Jan. 7.

Analysis: The Jets are getting a rare treatment for them, being given the full allotment of prime-time games. With Aaron Rodgers under center, New York has suddenly become one of the league’s marquee teams, and the schedule showcases that. The Jets also get to participate in the first Black Friday contest, hosting the Dolphins in Week 12.

As is the case with every AFC East team, the road is challenging. The Jets will face the AFC East and AFC West divisions, along with the NFC East, which sent three teams to the playoffs last year. However, New York will benefit from a last-place schedule. 

- Matthew Verderame

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For comparison purposes, the Jets' 2023 regular season win total is 9.5 according to DraftKings Sportsbook (New Jersey). Over bettors have to lay -130 odds while under backers will receive a +110 payout.

The Green & White jumped out to a 7-4 start last season and were squarely in the playoff picture. Injuries and unreliable quarterback play powered a six-game season-ending losing streak.

The addition of future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers has boosted the Jets' confidence as well as their appeal to bettors.

“The expectation is high with Aaron, and we all know that and that’s what we want,” said receiver Garrett Wilson, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Jets haven't qualified for the NFL Playoffs since 2010. They posted a 10-6 record in 2015, but missed out on a wildcard berth by losing the regular season finale to a Rex Ryan-coached Bills team.

READ MORE:

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The NFL schedule has been released, and @MattVerderame has taken a hard look at each AFC team’s slate

Here are his record predictions 👀 https://t.co/zkzaBeFfGg

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 12, 2023