Going into the 2023 National Football League seasons, there was a lot of hope–and hype–surrounding the New York Jets.
Three years removed from a two-win campaign, the Jets, with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers under center, looked headed for a first winning season since 2015, and a first playoff berth in over a decade (2010).
But that positivity lasted exactly four snaps of the 2023 campaign: Rodgers tore his achilles in the first drive against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of 2023, and–despite stunning the Bills in overtime and starting the campaign 4-3–the Jets fell apart down the stretch to finish last year 7-10.
Same old Jets, right?
Well, guess what? New Jersey sports books (and those around the country) think the Jets could make MetLife Stadium (one of the stadiums with an average beer price of only five bucks) a January destination once again.
Betting on the Jets: A 2024 Season Preview
Ahead of the 2024 Week 1 NFL season opener on Sunday night football (against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers), most Garden State books launched special NFL promos and have the Jets inside the playoffs come January, at least according to NFL Futures Win Totals.
The Jets are one of three AFC East teams that sit at or above 9.5 wins. You can get New York at 9.5 with some books and 10 with others, the same number you can find for the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo leads the way in the division with a 10.5 win total. The Jets are anywhere from odds of -150 to -175 to make the playoffs, and have co-best odds–with the Bills–to win the AFC East at +180 (+200 or higher with some NJ books).
Can it be so? After eight losing seasons in a row, can Rodgers lead the Jets back to winning ways, and maybe even the playoffs?
They have a favorable early slate outside of that trip across the coast to start the season, with games at Tennessee in Week 2, then they are home to New England and Denver before a trip to Minnesota.
Speaking of that season opener, the Jets are currently six-point underdogs against the 49ers.
So, how should you wager on the Jets this year?
Week 1: Take the Points with the Jets
The loser of the Super Bowl is usually awful in NFL Week 1 of the following season. Since 2000, teams that lost in the previous Super Bowl have struggled mightily, posting a dismal 4-20 record against the spread. The under is 14-7 in that time period (three pushes).
Take the Jets at +5.5, with +6 even better. The under 44.5 could be live as well.
Weeks 2-4: Aerial Attack Could Lead to High Scores
Look for the Jets to rack up big wins over the Titans and Broncos. Against Denver, do not be afraid of a double-digit point spread: the Broncos are awful.
Futures Betting Props
The only problem with futures tickets is that they will not be cashed until mid-January, which ties up your money for a long time.
Should you wager on them?
You can: there is often value there.
The Jets at +200 to win the AFC East could prove to be a wise ticket, but the Dolphins and Bills should both be pretty good. The AFC East has to play the AFC South and NFC West, so there will be some winnable games, especially if Rodgers stays healthy.
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