There is a lot of optimism surrounding the New York Jets for the first time in a long time. Their acquisition of Aaron Rodgers to take over as the starting quarterback has some people believing that they will be Super Bowl contenders.
Rodgers is a massive upgrade at quarterback from what New York had last season and the team’s weapons around him are also very good. Combined with a stellar defense, it is easy to see why people believe that the Jets will find a lot of success in 2023.
However, some people still aren’t sold on them getting the job done. One of those people is Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated. He released his win-loss predictions for every team and game during the 2023 regular season. Orr believes that the Jets are in for a rude awakening and has predicted them to go 8-9 during the season.
“I think that 8–9 is just about the basement for this team. In the range of possible outcomes, being only one win better than they were the season before Aaron Rodgers came to town would amount to my “worst-case scenario.” I don’t think it’s possible under Robert Saleh to have an LOL Jets kind of season, but I do think New York is vulnerable at critical positions, and it is mounting its battle plans on the back of a 39-year-old quarterback who, yes, is exceptional and absurdly talented, but is realistically human like the rest of us. All of that said, do I feel extremely uncomfortable about this pick, in particular, after seeing that Jets defense in the preseason? You bet. This team could realistically win this division by a country mile. My hesitancy with this team is a combination of life in the spotlight, coupled with a season-opening slate that sees it take on the Bills, Cowboys, Chiefs and Patriots before a bit of a soft landing.”
The Jets open the season with four out of the first six games being against playoff teams from last season. The two games that aren’t are at home against the New England Patriots and on the road against the Denver Broncos. For different reasons, both of those games are from Cakewalks.
That early stretch could very well determine the trajectory of the season. If they can get through that stretch at .500 or better, things soften up in the middle-late portion of the season where they can stack some wins together.
The most important thing for the Jets to find success in 2023 is keeping Rodgers upright. Their offensive line is the biggest X-Factor this season. If that unit plays well, this offense will be taken to heights it hasn’t ever seen.
If they struggle with effectiveness and suffer injuries once again, the team’s grand plans could crumble before them. The offensive line is the biggest uncertainty on the roster heading into the season.
