Can Jets win enough for Aaron Rodgers to return for playoffs? Predicting final 9 games after ugly ‘MNF’ loss

It’s only been eight games, but the New York Jets‘ 2023 season has already had more twists and turns than any roller coaster you’ll find at the Six Flags located about 45 miles away from Gang Green’s New Jersey facility. The crazy part is that, for all the plot twists during the season’s first nine weeks, many more lie ahead for the second half of the campaign.

At the center of all this mayhem is Aaron Rodgers, the future Hall of Fame quarterback who suffered what everyone initially thought was a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1. But Rodgers may not be done this season, as the four-time league MVP is ahead of schedule in his recovery. The thought is that Rodgers could be back in the event that the Jets make the playoffs. 

At 4-4, the Jets certainly have a shot at advancing to the postseason while possibly giving Rodgers a chance to play again. New York is one of nine AFC teams with at least four wins as the regular season reaches its halfway point. 

Can the Jets win enough games to make the playoffs? To find out, we decided to predict the outcome of each of Gang Green’s remaining games, starting with Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Like the Jets, the Raiders started slow but found momentum in recent weeks. Las Vegas destroyed the Giants this past Sunday in Antonio Pierce’s first game as interim head coach. Maxx Crosby will undoubtedly give the Jets offense some headaches, but the Raiders offense just isn’t good enough to make them a hands-down favorite in this game, especially with Davante Adams‘ recent lack of involvement. This is the perfect game to feed Breece Hall while making Crosby a non-factor. 

• Result: WIN 
• Record: 5-4 

The Jets beat Buffalo in Week 1 in an emotionally-charged game for the green and white. Buffalo only lost by six points, though, despite quarterback Josh Allen turning the ball over four times. Rest assured that Allen and his teammates will be motivated to play better the second time around. Look for Buffalo to get Gabe Davis more involved this time after the team’s No. 2 wideout was targeted just four times in Week 1. 

• Result: LOSS 
• Record: 5-5 

This is a tough matchup for the Jets, who’ll have to face the NFL’s top-ranked offense on a short week. The Jets defense should still be able to slow down the a Dolphins offense that is averaging nearly 32 points per game. One positive for the Jets is the fact that the Dolphins defense hasn’t been good so far. The unit is currently 25th in the NFL in points allowed and 30th in the red zone. 

• Result: LOSS
• Record: 5-6

Simply put, the Jets’ Week 12 and 13 matchups are games they’ll likely need to win if they’re going to make the playoffs. Up first is a Falcons team that is 4-5 after a 3-2 start. While Atlanta’s defense is solid, its offense is just 25th in the NFL in scoring. That’s a good sign for a Jets defense that is particularly tough in the red zone. 

• Result: WIN 
• Record: 6-6 

I’m sure a lot of fan bases, including Gang Green’s faithful, pegged their team’s game against the Texans as a win when NFL schedules were initially released back in the spring. But that’s certainly not the case now with the Texans sitting at .500. Two big reasons for Houston’s surprising start is the play of quarterback C.J. Stroud (who just set an NFL record by throwing for 470 yards in Sunday’s win over Tampa) and a defense that has been one of the league’s best against the run. 

Given the Texans defense, this game may come down to turnovers and field position. 

• Result: WIN 
• Record: 7-6 

Week 15: Miami Dolphins 

As stated above, the Dolphins defense could end up being an Achilles heel. But I just don’t see the Jets beating Miami this season, especially with cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s being back from injury.

• Result: LOSS
• Record: 7-7 

This game may determine whether or not the Jets make the playoffs, especially if they don’t win either game against Miami. Currently a 4-5 outfit, this may also be a big game for Ron Rivera’s squad for it to possibly stay in postseason contention. 

Washington’s offense — led by new OC Eric Bieniemy — is plodding along, but the Commanders defense has underachieved so far, as it is currently 30th in the league in points allowed. The Jets should be able to do enough on offense to win this game, while Gang Green’s defense will surely look to exploit Washington’s ghastly pass protection. 

• Result: WIN
• Record: 8-7 

Week 17: at Cleveland Browns

This is a prime-time game that will undoubtedly have a playoff atmosphere. Expect a low-scoring game between two teams that possess stout defenses and punishing running games. The Browns defense, specifically pass rushers Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith, give Cleveland a decided edge in this game. 

• Result: LOSS
• Record: 8-8 

Yep, the Jets’ season may ride on their ability to defeat a Bill Belichick team on the road on the final Sunday of the 2023 season. New York’s defense has played well, but the offense has been the issue in recent games against the Patriots. The running game will be paramount in this game. It’ll help the Jets control the clock while taking some of the pressure off Zach Wilson, who has never beaten the Jets’ longtime division rival. 

• Result: WIN
• Record: 9-8 

At 9-8, the Jets would be right on the bubble of making the playoffs. Last season, the 9-8 Dolphins made the playoffs while the also nine-win Steelers were not part of the AFC’s postseason. Given the conference’s current landscape, there’s a good chance that a similar scenario will play out this year where a nine-win team will be left out in the cold. 

But if they can get to nine wins, that will at least give Gang Green a shot at making the playoffs, which may allow Rodgers to finish what he (very briefly) started back in Week 1.