Jets: Predicting primetime games for 2023

The New York Jets should be a spotlighted team in the NFL for the 2023 season. How many primetime games will they be scheduled for?

The New York Jets aren’t usually a team that gets featured in primetime coverage by the NFL. As the little brother to the more historically successful New York Giants, the Jets don’t get the national spotlight unless they’re really good or have star power on top of their roster.

That looks poised to change in 2023 as the Jets are expected to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender once the Aaron Rodgers trade is completed. Adding Rodgers to a roster loaded with young talent like reigning Rookies of the Year Garrett Wilson and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner should have New York in the mix for a Super Bowl crown right now.

How many primetime games will the Jets be scheduled for in 2023?

The NFL will have no shortage of attractive games to pick from with the Jets, who will play both the NFC East and AFC West outside of their six AFC East games. Placement games will see New York travel to Cleveland while hosting Houston and Atlanta.

Rodgers’ presence means that the Jets will snap a decade-long drought without appearing on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, which hasn’t aired one of their games since the infamous Butt Fumble contest against New England on Thanksgiving night in 2012. The NFL will surely look to spread out many of the elite quarterback matchups on New York’s schedule as Rodgers will match up with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts.

Expect the NFL to max out New York’s primetime appearances as the Jets become the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a moribund franchise elevated to the national spotlight with the addition of a future Hall of Famer at quarterback. Three Sunday night slots feels like a lock for New York, which could also be in play for Thanksgiving Day with either a trip to Dallas or hosting a primetime game that allows them to play on Thursday Night Football the following week against a marquee opponent.

Jets Primetime Games: 5 (Vs. Miami Dolphins, At Dallas Cowboys, At Buffalo Bills, Vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Vs. New England Patriots)