The New York Jets are set to shine under the bright lights of prime-time television, with a staggering six night games scheduled in the first 11 weeks of the 2024 NFL season.
The league attributed this record number of prime-time slots to the undeniable appeal of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who is making a highly anticipated return to the field after a season-ending injury last year.
With the slate set, the Jets will remarkably become the first team in NFL history to play six prime-time games within the first 11 weeks of the season.
In a press conference on Thursday, Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, acknowledged the unusual concentration of prime-time games for the Jets.
“Yes, it’s an awful lot of prime-time games early in the season, but, obviously, I feel like Jets kind of owe us one,” North stated.
The Jets’ prominence in prime-time slots marks a significant departure from last season when they were heavily featured but suffered a setback with Rodgers’ injury in Week 1.
“When we had this conversation a year ago, we were – all of us – all-in on the Jets, and for that guy to last four plays was disheartening for many of us,” North lamented.
Despite the setback, the NFL and its TV networks are doubling down on the Jets for the upcoming season, capitalizing on the return of Rodgers.
“Certainly, our broadcast partners, when they came to us early in the process talking about what storylines they want to focus on early in the season, obviously Aaron Rodgers’ return was a key one for everybody,” North explained.
The Jets, buoyed by Rodgers’ return and bolstered roster, are gearing up for a series of high-profile matchups in prime time.
They are slated for two Monday night games (ESPN/ABC), two Sunday night games (NBC), and two Thursday night games (Prime Video) in the early part of the season.
“We’re excited to showcase the Jets’ resurgence in prime time,” North excitedly expressed. “Hopefully, he stays healthy and, hopefully, they’re relevant.”
In addition to the Jets’ prime-time bonanza, the NFL announced other schedule and TV-related developments for the 2024 season.
Notably, Netflix will throw their hat in the NFL world as they will broadcast two games on Christmas Day.
As far as the Jets, their complete 2024 schedule goes as follows…
Week 1: Monday, Sept. 9 at 49ers (Monday Night Football), 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15 at Titans, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 19 vs Patriots (Thursday Night Football), 8:15 p.m., Amazon
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29 vs Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6 at Vikings (in London), 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Week 6: Monday, Oct. 14 vs Bills (Monday Night Football), 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20 at Steelers (Sunday Night Football), 8:20 p.m., NBC
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 27 at Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 9: Thursday, Oct. 31 vs Texans (Thursday Night Football), 8:15 p.m., Amazon
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10 at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17 vs Colts (Sunday Night Football), 8:20 p.m., NBC
Week 12: BYE
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1 vs Seahawks, 1 p.m., FOX
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8 at Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15 at Jaguars, 1 p.m., FOX
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 22 vs Rams, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 29 at Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 18: Saturday, Jan. 4 or Sunday, Jan. 5 vs Dolphins, TBD
What are your thoughts on the Jets getting so many prime-time games?
Of course, last season the worst possible thing that could happen, happened … Do you think Rodgers will be able to stay healthy this time around?
Assuming he does, do you look at the Jets as a dark-horse Super Bowl contender???