No team has no hype in 2024 than the New York Jets.
With Aaron Rodgers back and healthy following his Achilles injury, as well as the addition of several major players, the Jets are looking to break their 13-season playoff drought this year. The NFL believes in them, too, after scheduling seven primetime games for the Jets through the first 11 weeks of the season.
But at least one person isn't buying into the Jets this year: Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker. The self-described Dolphins fan stroked the fires of the AFC East rivalry between Jets and Dolphins fans when he told "The D.A. Show with Babchik" that the Jets won't even make the playoffs despite the return of Rodgers.
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"Ya'll think just because you got Aaron Rodgers that you're gonna win? You're still the freaking Jets," Rucker said. "... You're not going to beat anybody. You're not winning. You're not winning the division. You're probably not making the playoffs."
"Ya'll think just because you got Aaron Rodgers that you're gonna win? You're still the freaking Jets"
— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) May 29, 2024
Dolphins fan @DariusRucker weighs in on how he thinks the Jets will do this season, on 'The D.A. Show w/ Babchik'
Full int. w/@DamonAmendo & @Babchik: https://t.co/rWI7qpwzgn pic.twitter.com/Sav6TBUAKY
While Rucker may be right about the Jets' recent history, his Dolphins haven't fared too well in the AFC East or the playoffs recently as well. Miami is 0-2 in its two playoff appearances over the past two seasons and hasn't won a postseason game since 2000. The Jets haven't been to the playoffs in 13 seasons, but New York went to back-to-back AFC title games in 2009 and 2010.
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New York won't get its first shot at Miami until Week 14, meaning Rucker will have to wait almost the full season before his team can back up his words. The AFC East landscape could look completely different by then as well if the Jets, Dolphins or Bills pull away in the division (we'll hold our breath regarding the Patriots).
At the very least, though, this gives more fuel to the Jets-Dolphins rivalry. Miami leads the head-to-head series, 60-56-1, including one playoff win. The Dolphins are also 5-1 against the Jets since 2021. Rodgers, meanwhile, is 3-1 against the Dolphins all-time.
