(Above Image Credit: BVM Sports)

When: Monday, Sept. 11th, 8:30 PM EST

Where: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

Channel: ESPN (check your listings)

Monday Night Football returns as the Buffalo Bills collide with the New York Jets.

Rodgers’s New York Debut

Aaron Rodgers will make his debut as the newest quarterback to the New York Jets.

During the offseason, he went on a 4-day darkness retreat to think about his future. He ultimately decided that he would play another season of football in the hope he would be traded to the Jets, which eventually happened.

He spent 18 seasons as part of the Green Bay Packers where he won multiple MVP awards, recorded various NFL records, and won Super Bowl 45.

Damar Hamlin Will Not Play

After careful deliberations, Buffalo has decided that Damar Hamlin will not take the field Monday night. This is in response to his near-death experience back in January.

On Jan. 2nd, 2023, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was completing a tackle when he took a hit by Bengals WR Tee Higgins then collapsed on the field.

His heart temporarily stopped and was given CPR before being rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition. The game was postponed then cancelled.

He spent a week in Cincinnati before being transferred to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute. His health improved, and he was finally discharged on Jan. 11.

At a press conference in April, The 24-year-old Bills safety revealed that he was diagnosed with commotio cordis. He described it as, “a direct blow at a specific point in your heartbeat that causes cardiac arrest, and five to seven seconds later, you fall out.”

He returned to full-time practice back in June and returned to the football field during the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts last month.

Revamping the Bills vs. Jets Rivalry

In my opinion, this night will mark a new start to the rivalry between the Bills and Jets.

A great rivalry is meant to be filled with excitement and anticipation between two great teams. That is something that hasn’t been seen for too long when you think about the games between Buffalo and the Jets.

The Bills have grown in the last few seasons, but the past several seasons haven’t been too kind on the Jets. Now, things are about to change.

There is a veteran quarterback in Rodgers and a young quarterback in Josh Allen. Both men have shown time and time again that they have the talent to be MVP-worthy quarterbacks.

Now imagine pairing Rodgers with RB Dalvin Cook, who enters his 7th season as the newest member of the New York Jets. Now there’s a duo that could give Allen and Stefon Diggs a run for their money in the AFC East.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

This Bills vs. Jets game is one of the most anticipated games of the season, so expect some excitement to come out of this.

Rodgers has been confident in his new teammates during the offseason. His compatibility with the team will be tested, but I don’t think he should have any problems with it.

If he doesn’t do anything that could mess up the one chance the Jets have to be seen as playoff, let alone Super Bowl, contenders, he should be good.

Meanwhile, the Bills are ready to get back into contention. They have been a playoff team for the last few seasons. If they can keep their defense focused on bringing down Rodgers and Cook, they’ll have a chance to win.

Predicted Score: Bills 27, Jets 24