After eight consecutive losing seasons, the New York Jets are not only expected to have a winning season in 2024 but to make a deep run in the playoffs. But for that to happen, it may all depend on a legendary quarterback coming off an injury that cost him all but four snaps of the 2023 season.
Here’s a look at the Jets’ betting outlook for this season.
New York Jets Futures Odds
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
- Super Bowl Odds:Â +1900
- AFC Odds: +1000
- AFC East Division Odds: +165
- Win Total:Â 9.5 – Over (+125)/Under (-150)
- To Make/Miss Playoffs: Make (-175)/Miss (+145)
Jets Offense
To say success this season depends on quarterback Aaron Rodgers more than any other Jets player would not be hyperbole. Rodgers brought optimism with him from the Green Bay Packers before the 2023 season, a feeling that the Jets were going to compete immediately.
But a torn Achilles on the fourth offensive play of the season ruined Rodgers’ debut campaign in The Big Apple, and the Jets in turn saw their hopes for a return to respectability vanish.
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With a trio of mediocre quarterbacks taking a shot at replacing Rodgers — Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Tim Boyle — the Jets’ offense struggled mightily in 2023, ranking 29th in scoring and 31st in total yards. The Jets had the third-fewest passing yards in the league, and their 11 touchdown passes were the fewest in the NFL.
But Rodgers is healthy again (for now), the offensive line was overhauled, and there is still plenty of talent at the skill positions. Running back Breece Hall is one of the league’s best and has elite potential for fantasy football managers. Hall was the only player in the NFL last season to have at least 900 rushing yards and 75 receptions.
And despite the revolving door of mediocrity at quarterback, wide receiver Garrett Wilson had almost 100 receptions (finished with 95) and over 1,000 receiving yards (1,042).
Jets Defense
This is where the Jets’ hopes for a playoff run may be the strongest. New York finished third in the league in yards allowed, its highest ranking in total defense since 2010.
The Jets also finished last season strong defensively, holding five of their final six opponents under 300 total yards.
The biggest offseason acquisition on the defensive end probably occurred when the Jets signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw from the 49ers.
One Betting Trend to Know
If the Jets are going to be an improved team this season, they will have to do it in a difficult division, the AFC East. New York was 2-4 overall vs. divisional opponents and 2-4 against the spread vs. the AFC East.
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Although they somehow defeated the Buffalo Bills in the season opener last season, the Jets’ final three games vs. the Bills and Miami Dolphins saw them get outscored by a combined 96-19
Best Bet for Jets in 2024
With this team at full strength, the Jets certainly have a chance to contend in the AFC this season. And while it’s hard to back a team that hasn’t won at least a share of the division title in over 20 years (2002), going over 9.5 wins (+125) is a good option for bettors.
Ben Rolfe’s Jets Best Bet
Pick: Breece Hall to have 1,000+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards (+275 at DraftKings)
Coming back off a major knee injury last season, New York was somewhat conservative with Hall, and still, he hit 994 rushing yards and 591 receiving yards. Add that it came with Wilson and a band of mediocre quarterbacks under center, and the optimism should rise even higher.
Rodgers being under center should open up the offense more this year. Hall should be in line for upwards of 225 carries, while a more effective passing game should give him lighter boxes to run into. Hall essentially just needs to match what he did in 2023 with six more rushing yards and this prop will hit.
The beauty of this bet is that I think it is also somewhat Rodgers-independent. Most of the Jets’ bets are tied to their quarterback’s health, but Hall proved last year that he can get close to these milestones without a star under center.
