Aaron Rodgers, Jets get early test in first 'Monday Night Football' game

Per OddsChecker, Buffalo (+135) is the favorite to win the AFC East in 2023 while the Jets (+250) have the second-best odds.

New York and Buffalo played two competitive games last year and split the series. The Bills outscored the Jets 37-32 but were outgained 619-549, including a season-low 232 yards in their Week 14 win. The 317 yards Buffalo gained in Week 9 were the second-fewest the offense produced last year.

Quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Mike White started those games for New York and the upgrade to Rodgers should produce a more intriguing game. 

For that to happen, the Jets' new QB must improve upon his last two Week 1s, against New Orleans (2021) and Minnesota (2022). In those two games, he was 37-of-62 (59.7 percent) for 328 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Packers were outscored 61-10.

Rodgers has also not always been his best against Buffalo. Per StatMuse, he is 2-2 all-time when facing the Bills. In the four games, he's averaged 235.3 yards, 1.3 touchdowns and one interception per game with a 54.6 completion percentage and a 75.4 passer rating, well below his career rating of 103.6.

Those numbers are far from what he traditionally averages on "Monday Night Football." In 18 starts, he's averaged 269.8 yards, 2.1 touchdowns and 0.6 interceptions while completing 68.5 percent of his passes. (h/t StatMuse)

He's won nine consecutive Monday night games and his last loss came in 2013 against the Bears but he missed the majority of that game with a shoulder injury. 

This will be the second time Rodgers began a season on a Monday night. The first was in 2008 against the Vikings in his first start for the Packers. Green Bay won that game, 24-19.

Allen has been exceptional on Mondays as well. In six starts, he's completed 68.3 percent of his attempts and averaged 272 yards, three touchdowns and 0.3 interceptions.

If the QBs play up to their "MNF" standard, we could be in store for an offensive shootout. A defensive slugfest is possible as well should the Jets continue to frustrate the Bills offensively and Rodgers have a repeat of his recent Week 1 shortcomings.