Carrying a load of expectations, the New York Jets open their most highly anticipated season in recent memory when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 on Monday. And while all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers in his Jets debut, there’s another player who needs to be the X-Factor if they’re going to win.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Rodgers won’t play a major role in the outcome of this game. Rodgers is at the heart of all things Jets and was acquired to jumpstart an offense that ranked 25th in the NFL last season.

The Jets offense is still a work in progress, and Rodgers admitted as much Thursday. The starting offensive line didn’t play at all together in the preseason. Running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook are coming off surgery and didn’t practice until the past few weeks. Plus, there’s a new scheme with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. And a new quarterback in Rodgers.

The 39-year-old might have to deliver some magic to cover up blemishes on the offense in the early going, even with Von Miller missing from the Bills lineup Monday.

But if the Jets are going to defeat their AFC East rivals in the opener, their defense is going to lead the way. And that’s why a certain defensive star will be the X-Factor for New York on Monday night.

Quinnen Williams is Jets X-Factor in Week 1 vs Bills

This is a tasty clash pitting the stout Jets defense, ranked No. 4 in the NFL last season, against the potent Bills offense, No. 2 in the league and No. 2 in scoring a year ago.

To win the game, the Jets will need to have the better of this matchup. And that means your best player needs to be a difference maker.

That player for New York is Quinnen Williams.

The All-Pro defensive tackle, who signed a massive contract this offseason after establishing an NFL career high with 12 sacks in 2022, needs to be a game wrecker. He must control the run and pass and set the tone that the Jets will win the battle along the line of scrimmage.

It’s imperative Williams lead the charge up the middle to pressure quarterback Josh Allen. If successful, Williams will either draw double teams and free up the likes of Jermaine Johnson, Carl Lawson and Bryce Huff to pressure the QB, or he will hunt down Allen himself.

The Jets defensive line is stacked with solid players. In fact, the entire defensive unit, which includes corners Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed and linebacker C.J. Mosley, is impressive.

But Williams is central to their success. He’s the difference maker, the game wrecker.

Last season, the Jets held the Bills to 17 points in a three-point home win Nov. 6 and 20 points in an eight-point road loss Dec. 11. Williams had one sack in the first game and two in the second, despite leaving with a calf injury.

That kind of production will play for the Jets on Monday.

With Williams leading the way, the Jets defense can give Rodgers and the offense a chance to take advantage of good field position and not have to score 30 points in order to win a shootout.

Quinnen Williams is the Jets X-Factor in their crucial Week 1 matchup against the Bills.