5 most anticipated games on the 2023 NY Jets schedule

When the NY Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers this offseason, the expectation was that this team could take a massive leap forward, and unsurprisingly, they've now also been given the opportunity to prove their might, with six prime-time games on the slate for 2023.

After 12 long seasons of waiting, the Jets now have their best chance at breaking the NFL's longest playoff drought, and while the team needs to take the schedule one game at a time, Jets fans can be forgiven if they are looking through the schedule in preparation for the season, even if it is still early May.

With 17 games on the schedule, each and every game means everything to this Jets team, but for the die-hard Jets fans, which games should we be circling on the calendar ahead of time?

5. Week 18 NY Jets vs. New England Patriots

After two decades of dominance, NY Jets fans should be circling each and every matchup against New England on their calendar, and after finally bringing in a veteran Quarterback that won't be fooled by Bill Belichick, they have a good chance to snap their AFC East losing streak against the Pats.

While this is the second game of the season between these teams, it could be the most important as it comes on the final weekend of the season, and with all four AFC East teams looking toward the playoffs, this could end up being a deciding factor in those standings.

With no more Tom Brady, the Jets had the chance to take down New England twice last year, but with sub-standard QB play in both games, they let two wins slip away, so this year, Jets fans will be hoping they can turn the tides in a big way.

4. Week 8: NY Jets vs. New York Giants

While the New York Jets and New York Giants don't often face each other, the natural rivalry that comes with sharing a stadium will always be games that fans look towards, and with both taking major leaps in 2022, this will be arguably the best matchup these two teams have ever had with one another.

Both teams have built great depth and have stars all over the field, and after a tough stretch to start the year, this game comes out of the Jets' bye week and could be critical to the outcome of their season if they don't start the way they expect.

Every game on the schedule is important, but when two teams that share a stadium compete and their fans can all gather in one place, it makes for a fantastic atmosphere, and with both teams on the rise, they should give those fans a show in Week 8.

3. NY Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

In a tough AFC, the NY Jets aren't the only team looking to take a massive leap in 2023, and on the NFL's first Black Friday broadcast, they'll go head-to-head with each other, as New York looks to slow down the high-powered offense of the Miami Dolphins.

Last year's showdowns certainly went in the Jets' favour as injuries slowed down the Dolphins in both games, but even at full health, the Jets are set to matchup perfectly against the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Now, the Jets have the passing attack to match up with the running game that tore the Dolphins to pieces last season, and with yet another primetime matchup, this will be a must-win matchup against a fierce AFC East rival.

2. NY Jets vs. Kansas City Chiefs

In previous years, the thought of taking on Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the loaded Kansas City Chiefs would be a daunting task for the Jets, and a game many fans didn't look forward to, but in Week 4, this will be a chance for this up and coming Jets squad to gauge how they stack up against the AFC's best.

With a balanced defense led by the league's best cornerback duo and an All-Pro up front, the Jets are one of the few teams in the AFC with the defense to potentially slow down the Chiefs juggernaut, but it's the offense of New York that will be key in this one.

After three games, Rodgers and the Jets theoretically should be humming along, as the four-time MVP has the talent and leadership to adjust early in the season, and if the Jets are at their best, this could be a massive statement-making game.

1. NY Jets vs. Buffalo Bills

After years and years of suffering, every game for the NY Jets with a superstar Quarterback will be much anticipated, but understandably, none more so than Week 1, and it appears the NFL realized this, as the league has scheduled the Jets up against the AFC East's best squad, the Buffalo Bills.

After taking down the Bills with a struggling Zach Wilson and an incredible defensive performance a season ago, the Jets will come into this prime-time matchup prepared under their new Quarterback, and if the defense can get to Josh Allen again, the Jets could be putting the NFL on alert very early.

Still, this is a team loaded with weapons on both sides of the ball, so while Jets fans should be excited about this blockbuster showdown, don't underestimate a team that is once again considered an incredibly strong Super Bowl contender in the AFC.