Jets' Six Most-Appealing Opponents for Primetime in 2023

How many primetime TV exposures will Gang Green get in 2023? Which opponents are most attractive?

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 National Football League Schedule is due out this week and the anticipation should be high amongst New York Jets’ fans.

With quarterback Aaron Rodgers now at the controls, the Jets are a highly-relevant name across the League.

In addition to their future Hall-of-Fame signal caller, and the mammoth media market in which they reside, the Jets have a number of high-profile opponents awaiting in 2023.

NFL VP of Broadcasting Mike North highlighted a handful of Jets’ matchups during an appearance on Audacy's "It's Always Gameday in Buffalo" podcast last month.

"As such, obviously, they [the Jets] play the Bills twice, they've got an incredible schedule this year. They play Kansas City, they play Dallas, they play Philly. If Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback, we're going to do something with those games. If Aaron Rodgers isn't the quarterback of the Jets, we're going to do something with those games, but maybe not as much," said North.

The 2023 NFL Schedule powered by AWS will be released on NFL Network, NFL.com, the NFL app and NFL+ on Thursday, May 11 at 8:00 PM ET. Until then, all anyone can do is speculate, so let's do it.

Knowing that the Jets alone have great appeal to the television executives and schedule makers, here are the six most-intriguing opponents for a primetime affair in 2023:

New York Giants

It’s always fun when the rivalry game formerly known as the “Snoopy Bowl” actually means something. The Jets and Giants meet every year during the NFL Preseason, but only once every four years in the regular season. Adding to the power of the New York media market, both teams are actually expected to contend in 2023. A season-opening affair on Monday Night Football, exactly 22 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, almost makes too much sense.

Buffalo Bills

The biggest shocker from the schedule release will be if one of the Jets-Bills games doesn’t land in a primetime window. With Gang Green being only one of three teams to defeat Buffalo during the 2022 regular season, pundits expect two more tightly-contested installments of this AFC East rivalry in 2023. The Jets’ vaunted defense against the Bills’ high-powered offense is an enticing matchup to say the least. Drilling down further, the battle between receiver Stefon Diggs and lockdown cornerback Sauce Gardner provides plenty of intrigue.

Dallas Cowboys

The Jets and Cowboys won’t meet again until 2027, automatically making this year’s contest a hot ticket. Dallas is coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons under former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys’ head coach and the Jets’ new starting quarterback won a Super Bowl together a little more than a decade ago. Gang Green against Big D on Thanksgiving Day looks exceptionally appetizing.

Philadelphia Eagles

The reigning NFC champions are thought to have the most-complete roster in the NFL and they’ll be a circled game for every team on their schedule. When it comes to primetime affairs, television executives and NFL schedule makers have shown an affinity for featuring quarterback star power. This matchup certainly has that with the up-and-coming Jalen Hurts and the future Hall-of-Famer taking the snaps for the Jets. The 2023 edition of the Rich Kotite Bowl should be played for everyone to see.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs provide the perfect measuring stick game for Rodgers and the Jets. Fans across the league are likely interested in seeing how Gang Green stacks up against Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl LVII champions. The Chiefs are always appealing in primetime, especially under the lights at MetLife Stadium. Who’s down for a Super Bowl LIV re-match between Andy Reid’s offense and Robert Saleh’s defense?

Denver Broncos

The Broncos severely underachieved last year and may only reach mediocrity in the season ahead, but this matchup has serious intrigue due to the Nathaniel Hackett factor. Failing to get adequate production from quarterback Russell Wilson, the Jets’ offensive coordinator was fired during his first season as Denver’s head coach. When the Broncos hired Hackett prior to the 2022 campaign, it was rumored that Rodgers would also wind up in Denver. Rodgers, however, stayed in Green Bay while Denver gave up the kitchen sink for Wilson. Now, the two veteran gunslingers, both with Super Bowl-winning credentials, will square off in 2023 and would make for some good primetime TV.

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