The Jets notably avoid an Aaron Rodgers homecoming weekend
Let the countdown begin.
The New York Jets’ 2023 season is officially over, and the path to 2024 is officially being paved. Gang Green at least has its landmarks and knows where it’s going, as results from the final weekend of regular season action set their next list of adversaries in stone.
New York’s 2024 schedule will feature eight games at MetLife Stadium and nine road trips thanks to the NFL’s current 17-game rotation basis. The Jets are due to face all teams from the AFC South and NFC West with the outliers fully determined by the conclusion of the regular season.
View the full slate below.
Buffalo, Miami, New England (Home/Away)
While they’re not getting completely shut out, the Jets’ divisional endeavors leave much to be desired. At 2-4 for the second straight season, New York has not had a winning record against its most recurring rivals since 2010, when it went 4-2.
There’s an outside shot of the Jets’ divisional affairs getting the international treatment, as some have theorized that a Miami home game will be moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil as part of the NFL International Series (the Dolphins and Brazil hold a working relationship thanks to the league’s International Home Marketing Areas initiative).
Arizona (Away)
Despite their lengthy timelines, this will mark only the 11th meeting between the star-crossed Jets and Cardinals franchises. New York will visit State Farm Stadium for the first time since enduring a 28-3 Monday night defeat in 2016.
Denver (Home)
Despite residing in opposite sides of the country, the Jets and Broncos will uncannily do battle for the fifth consecutive season thanks to their respective third-place finishes in the East and West, though this will be just the second in East Rutherford. The two sides have evenly split the first four sets, with the Jets prevailing 31-21 in the Rockies last October, one that offered substantial revenge for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the victim of offseason barbs from Denver boss Sean Payton.
Houston (Home)
The Jets will host the newly-minted AFC South champions for the second straight season, previously earning a surprising shellacking to the tune of a 30-6 final last month. New York and Houston last did battle in back-to-back years in 2009-10. Both games, including the 2009 season opener, were won by the Jets, who lead the all-time set 7-3.
Indianapolis (Home)
The Jets host their former divisional rivals for the first time since 2018. Of note, last Thursday marked the 21st anniversary of the Jets’ last home playoff game, a 41-0 Wild Card triumph over Indianapolis in 2003.
Jacksonville (Away)
With the Jaguars set to continue their ongoing affair with London-based games, this could be another chance for the Jets to see the world. New York last visited Duval County in 2019, which saw them drop a 29-15 decision. If anything, it should be a trip down memory lane for Quincy Williams, as the former third-round pick is set to take to EverBank Stadium’s field for the first time since the 2021 preseason, when Jacksonville included him along their final training camp cuts.
LA Rams (Home)
Matchups with the Rams carry a curious aura, as the two sides’ last battle was a bizarre 23-20 New York win at SoFi Stadium, one that secured their fate in the draft slot that eventually begot Zach Wilson.
Minnesota (Away)
The Green Bay Packers’ Sunday win over Chicago not only earned them a playoff spot but also bought them some time in preparing a homecoming dance for Aaron Rodgers. Matching third-place finishes set up this interconference tilt, which will be the Jets’ second visit to U.S. Bank Stadium after dropping a 27-22 decision in their maiden voyage to “The Ship” in 2022.
Pittsburgh (Away)
Not all third-place finishes are created equal. The Jets face the playoff-bound Steelers at Acrisure Stadium next season, where they’ll look to continue their recent string of success against the black-and-yellow. Though Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 20-7, the Jets have prevailed in each of the last two get-togethers and three of the last four.
San Francisco (Away)
Barring any unforeseen coaching transfers, Robert Saleh will get a chance to return to the Bay Area for the first time since accepting the Jets’ head coaching spot. Saleh previously made a name for himself as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator and has since recruited friends (Solomon Thomas) and foes (DJ Reed) to his metropolitan cause. This will be the Jets’ second visit to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, previously earning a comeback victory in 2016.
Seattle (Home)
This should be one of the more intriguing matchups on the Jets’ 2024 schedule. Time will tell if Jamal Adams is there to endure what’s sure to be a mixed response at MetLife Stadium, as this will mark his current employers’ first visit to East Rutherford since the fateful 2020 trade.
Even though Seattle has remained generally consistent in the passing years, one can make a case that the Jets wound up on the right side of the deal. The picks obtained in exchange for Adams’ services have since yielded metropolitan foundational pieces like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Garrett Wilson.
Tennessee (Away)
The old and new Titans don’t get together often but they at least have the decency to keep things exciting when they do. Three of their last four meetings have been decided by one possession, including the Jets’ thrilling 27-24 overtime victory in October 2021.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
