These three games could prove to be the toughest on the 2024 schedule for the New York Jets.
The New York Jets enter the 2024 season with plenty of challenging games on their schedule. Despite finishing third in the division, the Jets will endure plenty of prime time matchups and tough opponents. However, these three games may be the toughest on the Jets schedule in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers – Week 1
The hardest matchup on the Jets schedule might be the first game of the year. The Jets will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers on Monday Night Football. Head coach Robert Saleh returns to face his old team, and Aaron Rodgers will make his season debut after suffering an Achilles tear in Week 1 of last season. However, the cards are stacked against New York in this matchup.
The 49ers are coming off of a Super Bowl appearance, losing in the final moments against the Kansas City Chiefs. They also have one of the most complete teams in the NFL with an elite head coach in Kyle Shanahan. The Jets will need to come out with a victory and start the season strong, especially since they will play three games in 10 days. A win or a loss here could set the tone for the season.
New England Patriots – Week 3
The Patriots aren’t listed here because they have a good team. Instead, it’s due to the timing in the schedule when the Jets will face them.
The Jets host the Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 in what will be their third game in 10 days. If the Jets don’t start the season 2-0, this becomes a must-win game for New York.
Falling to 1-2 (or 0-3) with a loss against the Patriots could put the team in a frenzy, especially since the schedule doesn’t get much easier throughout the season. Losing to a Bill Belichick-less Patriots team with plenty of holes won’t sit well with fans. And, it could cost Saleh his job if the team goes into Week 4 without a win.
Houston Texans – Week 9
This game is likely circled on Rodgers’ calendar – and fans should have it circled, too.
This offseason, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took direct shots at Rodgers speaking on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game Podcast”. The Houston quarterback questioned Rodgers’ relationship with his teammates, and suggested that Eli Manning and Matthew Stafford were both better players than the four-time NFL MVP. While those comments are blasphemous for multiple reasons, the timing of this matchup on the schedule is important.
Coming in the middle of the season, the Jets will need to prove they can win big games against important opponents. With Houston making the playoffs last year and sporting the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, the stakes will be high. And, given the Jets’ Week 12 bye, every game leading up to that break will be a war of attrition for New York. While there’s a chance the Jets may start slow, they won’t have that luxury as the season continues.
Honorable Mention: Pittsburgh Steelers – Week 7
The Steelers don’t have the most impressive team on paper heading into 2024. However, they’re well-coached and always give the Jets a hard time. When looking at the Jets schedule, this should ring true once again.
The Jets travel to Pittsburgh for Sunday Night Football in Week 7. It’s the final game in a three-game prime time stretch that includes a trip to London. New York will also be playing it on a short week. This is a game the Jets should win, but that’ll be easier said than done.
