If a 17th game is approved for 2021, the New York Jets would face the Philadelphia Eagles, per NBC Sports’ Peter King.
Prior to the 2020 season, the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to some interesting terms while negotiating the collective bargaining agreement. One of the biggest pieces was the addition of a 17th game to the regular season.
Of course, this is big news for a number of reasons. It adds an extra game that fans can attend, allows owners to make more money, and adds an extra wrinkle to the strategy deployed by coaches throughout the year.
As it turns out, the 17-game schedule could happen as early as this year (the 2021 season).
Per NBC’s Peter King, the 17-game season is “highly likely” to occur in 2021, with “TV partners and NFL schedulers working under that assumption.” And the New York Jets‘ 17th-game opponent would be the Philadelphia Eagles.
every team's 17th game in 2021
SEA at PIT
LAR at BAL
ARI at CLE
SF at CINGB at KC
CHI at LV
MIN at LAC
DET at DENWFT at BUF
NYG at MIA
DAL at NE
PHI at NYJNO at TEN
TB at IND
CAR at HOU
ATL at JAX*per Peter King who says a 17th game is "highly likely" in be added in 2021
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 1, 2021
King provided insight into the formula the NFL is looking to use for the 17th game:
“When the NFL was choosing options, the formula that prevailed—follow me now—was AFC versus NFC, cross-conference matchup from two years ago, 2021 matchup based on 2020 standings. Now that you’re totally confused, here’s an example: The four AFC West teams played the four NFC North teams in 2019. In 2020, Kansas City finished in first place in the AFC West, Green Bay first in the NFC North. So in 2021, it’s AFC West against NFC North, and 1-versus-1 from ’20 becomes Green Bay versus Kansas City.”
The Jets would face an NFC East opponent, and it would be the Eagles since both teams finished last in their respective divisions this past season.
There are some interesting tidbits to this piece of news.
There aren’t any plans to add an extra bye week to the regular season, but a greater than a 50% chance that there could end up being a Monday Night Football game during the wild-card round is something of note.
King also reports that with Christmas landing on a Saturday this year, the league is hoping to have two games played during the day. He cites the vast success of last year’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings as the primary reason for this.
Play: 👉 the Jet X Offseason Simulator
The Super Bowl has yet to be moved, but there’s a strong possibility it gets pushed back a week. This means the game now would land on Feb. 13.
As of now, the thought is that the AFC will be hosting every new game on the schedule for this year, while the NFC will take its turn in 2022—with “competitive equity” driving this decision.
A potential Eagles matchup is big news for the Jets, if only for pride alone. Philadelphia is the only team the Jets have never defeated, clocking in with an 0-11 record that spans nearly 50 years.
The fans, players and team will undoubtedly want to see that goose egg erased. And with a 17-game season on the horizon, they may get that opportunity sooner than later.
