The New York Jets have been the talk of the NFL offseason after acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Gang Green's journey into the season will be documented on HBO’s hit series "Hard Knocks" beginning August 8.
Some pundits feel the Jets will be a force to reckon with, while others aren't buying the hype that comes with being sixth on the 2024 Super Bowl odds board.
Whatever the result, New York is both an intriguing and polarizing team heading into its Hard Knocks premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
For those following the 2023 Hard Knocks premiere and interested in the best New York Jets odds, here's our breakdown below.
NFL Hard Knocks 2023 schedule: New York Jets odds and how to watch HBO Hard Knocks
The Jets enjoyed the Hard Knocks spotlight in 2010 with colorful head coach Rex Ryan and Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis front and center.
Oddly enough, that season was the last time New York reached the playoffs, making its second straight run to the AFC title game.
Fast forward over a dozen seasons and the storylines promise to be plentiful again in 2023, which is exactly why the NFL embarked on a relentless pursuit of the Jets for this season's edition of the show.
When does Hard Knocks start?
Episode 1 of HBO's Hard Knocks airs Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 10 p.m. ET. There will be five episodes, each airing on Tuesdays through the finale on Sept. 5, the final episode prior to the start of the NFL season.
The 2023 Hard Knocks premiere will chronicle the portion of Jets training camp leading up to their first of four preseason rehearsals, the Hall of Fame Game vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Fans will get an inside look at position battles, camp drama, and player breakthroughs as the Jets prepare for subsequent preseason tilts against the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants.
Where can I watch Hard Knocks?
Hard Knocks airs on HBO and streams afterward on Max, HBO’s streaming service. Tune in every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, beginning with the Aug. 8 premiere through the Sept. 5 finale. Fans can stream each week’s episode the same night it airs.
You don’t need to have HBO to watch Hard Knocks. Subscribers to Max have access to HBO’s full library, including Hard Knocks, and there are multiple tiers available.
Premiering a day before Hard Knocks is One Jets Drive on YouTube, a team-produced all-access docuseries that has been Emmy-nominated in the past.
2023 NFL Hard Knocks storylines
HBO and the NFL didn’t select the Jets as their featured team because they find them bland and boring. There are a number of compelling storylines for fans, pundits, and bettors to soak up as August rages on.
Can Aaron Rodgers play savior for the Jets?
There have been short stretches across the Jets’ existence in which there was some excitement over the quarterback position. Rodgers, however, provides a degree of stardom and bravado that most Jets fans have never seen.
'Baby Jets' ready for break out?
Last year’s “Baby Jets”, as nicknamed by head coach Robert Saleh, are a year older and in position to fly high. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, offensive and defensive rookies of the year, respectively, will now be looked upon as All-Pro candidates in 2023.
Can the offensive line hold up?
If there is one lingering question and concern — especially after the Steelers jumped the Jets in the 2023 NFL Draft — it’s the ability for the offensive line to protect Rodgers. There is some depth and promise, but a lot needs to jell before confidence follows.
Hard Knocks TV information
- Air date: Starting Tuesday, Aug. 8
- Episodes: Five, debuting weekly. Finale airs September 5, 2023
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: HBO
- Streaming: Max (HBO’s streaming service)
New York Jets odds: NFL futures bets for Gang Green ahead of Hard Knocks premiere
NFL fans and bettors aren’t limited to simply watching the Jets on Hard Knocks and Sundays. There are a number of team and player-related odds for bettors to wager. We’ll discuss a pair of quality bets to consider throughout Hard Knocks and the Jets’ preseason.
2023 New York Jets win total picks: Over 9.5 (-122 or better)
Bettors leaning to the Over are banking on a three-win improvement from the 2023 Jets. Considering last year’s team was trending toward a playoff berth behind a cast of quarterbacks that included Zach Wilson, Mike White, and Joe Flacco, it feels reasonable to anticipate significant improvement on last season’s 7-10 finish.
“If only the Jets had competent quarterback play …” was a sentiment orbiting the team last season as they collapsed coming out of their Week 10 bye. They averaged 12.5 points per game across their final eight contests and finished 1-7 over that stretch.
Rodgers serves as a stark upgrade under center and someone who should be able to offer quality quarterback play.
Combine that with a defense expected to be stout once again, perhaps even reinvigorated after their efforts were squandered in 2022. Together, the Jets should improve their win-loss record.
Is the quarterback upgrade enough for a three-win improvement?
Read more about 2023 New York Jets futures bets heading into the 2023 season
2023 New York Jets player props: Garrett Wilson Over 1125.5 yards (-112 or better)
Some odds are worth aggressive wagers, and this may be one.
Wilson finished 2022 — his rookie season — with 1,103 yards on 83 receptions. He led the team in targets (147) and averaged 13.3 yards per catch.
2023 NFL Week 1 odds: Best bets and game previews
And just as we touched on in the section above, it’s worth reiterating that Wilson did this with a parade of substandard quarterbacks taking snaps.
Rodgers is the best quarterback Wilson has ever played with, and Wilson appears to have emerged as veteran QB's top target.
Whether it’s due to an increase in overall pass volume or another hefty share of targets — Wilson earned 25% of the Jets’ targets in 2022 — it will not be a surprise to see him receive 150 or even 160+ targets from Rodgers this season.
Wilson was already a couple of catches away from going Over this number last season. From a betting perspective, do you think Wilson catches a lower percentage of Rodgers’ targets? And do you think he’s less efficient with Rodgers throwing him the ball?
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Craig Williams is a Charlotte-based content creator for Catena Media, who focuses on betting content and analysis. He draws from his professional experience that spans the gaming, fantasy, and sports business industries. Craig is an avid fan of basketball, baseball, football, and soccer, though don’t try to pin him down on a favorite — the No. 1 spot is rented, not owned.