It's been a long time since the Jets had real Super Bowl aspirations. But, maybe the NFL's punching bag can actually make some noise this year?
Breaking down the 2024 New York Jets season preview & odds, I've actually talked myself into a good season for the guys in green.
Check out Odds Shark's 2024 New York Jets season betting preview below, with all the Jets odds, matchup trends, and analysis on if they'll meet expectations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers this year:
2024 New York Jets Super Bowl & AFC Odds
Odds as of August 16
The Jets haven't won a Super Bowl in over 55 years. Heck, they haven't even made the playoffs since 2010. But, maybe THIS is the year things change?
There's honestly a lot of reason to be optimistic about New York's chances this season. With Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams headlining, the defense allowed the second-fewest yards per game in football last year. The problem was, naturally, the offense.
If the Jets scored 22 points per game last year (league average), they would've gone 10-7. Instead, they averaged 15.8 points and finished 7-10.
The Jets found themselves in a similar to spot to this in AFC Championship and AFC East division futures heading into last year, but a near-instant injury to Aaron Rodgers side-tracked the season. With Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and a few other bad QBs throwing the ball, things went big-time south for the Jets.
If Rodgers can stay healthy this year, he could keep the offense good enough to complement one of the league's best D-corps, making New York a real title contender.
I'm going to stay away from the Jets when it comes to division odds, though. They're a narrow second to the Bills in these odds, but the public has bet them way up to this point. I don't think, on paper, they deserve to be this close to Buffalo (or even ahead of Miami). As Ben Fawkes points out, 55% of all AFC East wagers are on New York right now. That's not the kind of public wager I want to get behind.
2024 New York Jets Win Total Odds
Odds as of August 16
I think the sportsbooks are pretty correct by setting New York's win total at O/U 9.5 (with the -160 line on the OVER). But, I don't really see them narrowly missing this line.
Either Rodgers gets hurt (or somehow sucks) and they're a 4 to 6 win team again. Or, everything clicks and this is a 10+ win playoff candidate. I think there are more potential paths to an OVER here, with New York rocking one of the easiest schedules in football.
After a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers, the Jets play the Titans, Patriots, Broncos, and Vikings to start the year. That could easily be a 4-1 start. They also draw easy matchups later on against the Pats and Cardinals. As long as Aaron Rodgers can help New York snag at least 2-3 wins against solid opponents, this is a 10-win squad.
2024 New York Jets Playoff Odds
Odds as of August 16
I just waxed poetic about the Jets' upside this year. But, this is the perfect place to hedge on the downside. As I mentioned above, IF Rodgers gets hurt or age catches up to him, I don't see how this Jets team sniffs the playoffs.
So, why not put a small wager on the Jets to miss the playoffs? Just to hedge your Super Bowl NY bet. Also, it's always fun to see Jets fans melting around you as their team crumbles each season — this year it can be profitable for ya.
2024 New York Jets NFL MVP Odds
Odds as of August 16
I certainly don't hate a flier on Aaron Rodgers' NFL MVP odds this year. He's going to have a great narrative coming back from a massive injury last season. Plus, I think people have kinda forgotten the Rodgers we saw just a few seasons ago.
In 2020 and 2021, Rodgers won back-to-back league MVPs, establishing himself as probably the best passer in football not named Mahomes. That wasn't that long ago.
Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall would be unwise bets for the MVP, but they're worth a look in Offensive Player of the Year odds, for sure.