Jets vs. Bills final prediction for Week 1

This is it. All the talking, all the waiting, all the anticipation all comes to a head Monday night. The games finally start to count and it starts with a huge divisional showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

For the Jets, it’s all about No. 8. The hype that came with acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been astronomical. Now is the time to show the Jets are not just hype but that they truly can contend in the AFC and hang with the big boys. We caught a glimpse of the offense during the preseason against the Giants and Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, a connection we expect to see very often this season.

On defense, it’s about maintaining the level of greatness the group reached last season and perhaps even surpassing it. Cornerback Sauce Gardner enters his second season after winning All-Pro honors as a rookie and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams became the second-highest-paid defensive tackle following his 12-sack season in 2022. How great can this unit become? Can they become historic like D.J. Reed believes they can be? They get a chance to come right out of the gate with a big test against Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the great Bills offense that was No. 2 in the league last season.

There is a lot of pressure on the Jets this season, there is no doubt. But who is a player in the NFL that thrives under pressure? Aaron Rodgers. The pick here is that Rodgers gets the offense going and the raucous Jets home crowd will make MetLife Stadium shake.

Prediction: Jets 23, Bills 20

Story originally appeared on Jets Wire