How Jets navigate through demanding early schedule may decide their season

Had Rodgers made it through 2023 healthy, the task ahead would still be tall. But it's even more challenging considering his recent injury history paired with a lackluster performance against the 49ers, where he threw for only 167 yards (13-of-21), a touchdown and an interception in an ugly 32-19 loss. 

Rodgers needs the reps, but the potential for injury only rises with less time between games to recover. The same goes for the rest of the Jets during this stretch of three games over 11 days — which, while not uncommon around the NFL, is unique to the Jets this season. 

The Jets are among only eight teams that will play three games over an 11-day period in 2024. However, they're the only team to start the campaign that way. 

The New Orleans Saints (Week 5 through Week 7) and Dallas Cowboys (Week 11 through Week 15) will climb the hill a little later in the year. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs will embark on the stretch in Week 15 through 17 before an eight- or nine-day break ahead of their season finales. 

While few expected the Jets to come away with a win against the 49ers to kick off the season, their immediate schedule was supposed to ease the pain. But out of their next 10 opponents ahead of a Week 12 bye, only the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals failed to win their opener. 

Furthermore, any slip-up over that span could come back to haunt New York, as things don't get any more manageable after the bye. The Jets' last six games come against playoff hopefuls, including home matchups against the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins, along with road contests versus the Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills. 

But, if the Jets come out of their three games in 11 days stretch winless or worse for the wear, who they face at the end of the season might not matter.