Picking the New York Jets' 2023 Schedule: Game-by-Game Win-Loss Predictions
Since the 2023 National Football League schedule is set, this will be an occasional exercise from now until Week 1.
Predicting the New York Jets' game-by-game results is no exact science, but here at SI's Jets Country we gave it our best first shot.
In the end, a tough strength of schedule was too great to overcome in a quest for double-digit wins, but Gang Green did snag the final Wildcard spot in this projected scenario.
2023 Jets Country's Game-by-Game Predictions:
Week 1: Bills at Jets (Sep. 11)
Time: 8:15 pm pm ESPN's MNF
The Bills are a lot better than they looked during the shellacking they took in the 2022 AFC Divisional Round. They're battle-tested and have posted 10+ wins four years in a row. When they were fresh and focused on their 2022 opener against the Rams, they rolled. They'll do the same here as it'll take a couple weeks for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets to settle in.
Predicted Result: Bills 29, Jets 13
Record: 0-1
Week 2: Jets at Cowboys (Sep. 17)
Time: 4:25 pm ET on CBS
The Cowboys and Rodgers' old head coach Mike McCarthy are another tough opponent during a brutal season-opening four-game stretch. The Jets' defense will keep Dak Prescott and the Boys at bay, but the offense will need another week to completely sync up. Dallas wins a close one at home.
Predicted Result: Cowboys 23, Jets 21
Record: 0-2
Week 3: Patriots at Jets (Sep. 24)
Time: 1:00 pm ET on CBS
Tom Brady is long gone and Bill Belichick's teams have shown their warts in recent years. The Patriots' mastery over the Jets ends in Week 3. Gang Green gets two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Rodgers and wins by a score.
Predicted Result: Jets 23, Patriots 16
Record: 1-2
Week 4: Chiefs at Jets (Oct. 1)
8:20 pm ET on NBC's SNF
The Jets are getting the Chiefs at the right time, just before their likely annual tear through the AFC. Rodgers will find the weak spots in Kansas City's defense and Gang Green's DBs will frustrate the Chiefs' receivers. Mahomes ties the game with a late scoring strike to Travis Kelce, but Rodgers gets the ball last and drives for a final-second field goal. It's a Sunday night stunner at MetLife Stadium.
Predicted Result: Jets 27, Chiefs 24
Record: 2-2
Week 5: Jets at Broncos (Oct. 8)
Time: 4:25 pm ET on CBS
It's the Nathaniel Hackett revenge game and Rodgers will carry his buddy to a Mile High victory in Week 5. The Broncos will prove no more Dange-Russ with Sean Payton at the helm and the Jets' quarterback will exploit a suspect Denver defense in a double-digit win.
Predicted Result: Jets 30, Broncos 16
Record: 3-2
Week 6 (Oct. 15): Eagles at Jets
Time: 4:25 pm ET on FOX
The Eagles have what many argue is the deepest roster in the league and the quarterback is in place, and paid, following a run to Super Bowl LVII. It's another brutal challenge in the first-half gauntlet. Rodgers and the Jets will be able to score some points against Philly, but not enough in the end.
Predicted Result: Eagles 31, Jets 24
Record: 3-3
Week 7: BYE (Oct. 22)
Week 8: Jets at Giants (Oct. 29)
Time: 1:00 pm ET on CBS
After an idle week, Gang Green has a meaningful bout with its MetLife Stadium co-tenant. The Giants have found a way to maximize their potential, and overachieve a bit, under head coach Brian Daboll. They shocked Rodgers and the Packers last year in London and they'll prevail in the game formerly known as the "Snoopy Bowl."
Predicted Result: Giants 22, Jets 17
Record: 3-4
Week 9: Chargers at Jets (Nov. 6)
Time: 8:15 pm ET on ESPN's MNF
Justin Herbert and the Chargers in a primetime spot against the Jets, what could go wrong? Brandon Staley makes a late coaching goof, but Robert Saleh bails him out with ill-advised time management. Chargers miss a field goal to win it in regulation, but Herbert throws a touchdown to Mike Williams on the second play on overtime.
Predicted Result: Chargers 26, Jets 20
Record: 3-5
Week 10: Jets at Raiders (Nov. 12)
Time: 8:20 pm ET on NBC's SNF
Just when the Jets badly need a win, the Raiders pop up on the schedule. Rodgers will finally start to feel in sync after eight games with his new team and he'll allow Jets' fans to RELAX with a big victory over Las Vegas. The blowout defeat could possibly be the final nail in the coffin of Josh McDaniels' head coaching tenure. In a side development, Davante Adams tries to escape the mess in the desert and sneaks onto the Jets' charter to Newark.
Predicted Result: Jets 31, Raiders 13
Record: 4-5
Week 11: Jets at Bills (Nov. 19)
Time: 4:25 pm ET on CBS
The Jets will desperately need this game to keep afloat in the AFC East, but winning in Buffalo is a tall task. Gang Green will slow down Josh Allen, but the dual threat quarterback will find a way late in the game. After running for a crucial first down, Allen hits rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid for the go-ahead score with 00:08 remaining.
Predicted Result: Bills 21, Jets 20
Record: 4-6
Week 12: Dolphins at Jets (Nov. 24)
Time: 3:00 pm ET on Prime Video
Rodgers and the Jets cash in a much-needed win in the first-ever NFL Black Friday game against the Fins, sparking a late-season surge. With Tua Tagovailoa banged up, Gang Green faces old friend Mike White and the defense feasts on the day after Thanksgiving. Garrett Wilson has a huge day with three touchdown catches.
Predicted Result: Jets 28, Dolphins 9
Record: 5-6
Week 13: Falcons at Jets (Dec. 3)
Time: 1:00 pm ET on FOX
The Green & White take advantage of a rebuilding Falcons' team, overwhelming Arthur Smith's crew on defense. Rodgers doesn't need to do much as the run game carries the load and the defense notches three takeaways. It's another get-well day for the Jets with the Texans on deck.
Predicted Result: Jets 26, Falcons 6
Record: 6-6
Week 14: Texans at Jets (Dec. 10)
Time: 1:00 pm ET on CBS
By this time, the Texans will be in their usual spot at the bottom of the league and contending for the No. 1 overall pick again. Rodgers and the Jets make easy work of Houston at home, inching above the .500 mark.
Predicted Result: Jets 21, Texans 11
Record: 7-6
Week 15: Jets at Dolphins (Dec. 17)
Time: 1:00 pm on CBS
Tagovailoa has since returned to the Miami offense and the Dolphins are making a final push toward a playoff spot. They'll avenge the earlier loss to Gang Green and squeak out a win on a hot, sticky December day in South Florida.
Predicted Result: Dolphins 26, Jets 24
Record: 7-7
Week 16: Commanders at Jets (Dec. 24)
Time: 1:00 pm ET on CBS
Every game is basically a "playoff" game from this point forward and Gang Green leaves a convincing victory under the tree on Christmas Eve. The Sam Howell experiment is actually going relatively well for Washington at this juncture, but the rest of the Commanders' roster looks more like an XFL squad that a NFL contender.
Predicted Result: Jets 29, Commanders 12
Record: 8-7
Week 17: Jets at Browns (Dec. 28)
Time: 8:15 pm ET on Prime Video's TNF
The Dawg Pound will be deflated on a late-season Thursday night as the Browns are staring at another losing record. Deshaun Watson continues to steal money from Cleveland and the Jets win ugly in an ugly spot. Rodgers and Gang Green head into Week 18 alive and kicking.
Predicted Result: Jets 19, Browns 16
Record: 9-7
Week 18: Jets at Patriots (Jan 6 or 7)
Time: TBA
The Patriots have already been eliminated from postseason contention, but Belichick is still pissed about that Week 3 loss. He throws the kitchen sink at the Jets and pulls out an excruciating one-point win. The good news for Gang Green is that Buffalo crushes Miami on the same day, allowing the Green & White to back into the final playoffs spot.
Predicted Result: Patriots 13, Jets 12
Record: 9-8 (AFC Wildcard)
READ MORE:
Jets' 2023 Schedule Loaded with Primetime Opportunities
Sportsbook Lists New York Jets as Serious Threat to Buffalo Bills
Jets Tabbed to Host Inaugural NFL Black Friday Game
Rodgers Heavily Affects AFC East Quarterback Hierarchy
