The New York Jets have been one of the teams to watch in the NFL through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, and that is set to continue with their matchup on Thursday Night Football, as the Sept. 19 matchup will mark their third game in 11 days.
Jets: QB Aaron Rodgers says playing a third game in 11 days will be “tough on the body”
Per Peter Botte of the New York Post, Jets superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently spoke on the taxing start to the Jets’ regular season schedule and how he views the challenge ahead of their next critical matchup against the New England Patriots, given the circumstances:
“Testing the body for sure. We love to play, so shorter time between games is great. But it’s definitely tough on the body, tough on the week,” Rodgers said after a walk-through practice Tuesday in Florham Park. “It’s easier for a guy who’s 20 than a guy who’s 40.
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How the early schedule impacts Rodgers and his Jets teammates
As Rodgers attested to, the way their first three contests have been staggered has placed them on the field with inopportune rest time, but he is confident that he’ll be able to play at a high level on Thursday night, a day of the week he loves to play on, and is also looking forward to an extended three days off following their matchup against New England.
The reason why the Jets have such a busy slate this early is because of their appearances in primetime. New York kicked off the year against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in a 32-19 loss on Sept. 9. They then hit the gridiron for a customary Sunday afternoon game against the Tennessee Titans, which they won 24-17 and will now be back in primetime against New England tonight.
The Jets are already feeling the injury bug early on. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson went down for the season with a torn Achilles against the Titans. Rodgers himself is also working his way back from his own Achilles tear that he suffered in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign, and has yet to throw for 200-plus yards in either of their two games thus far.
The Jets’ star-studded lineup has generated much buzz and Super Bowl predictions. Thus, their primetime schedule has been what it is in accordance with their talent and championship hopes. They’ll just have to weather the storm that is the demanding physical toll of their slate early on.
