EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who arrived final 12 months saying he wished so as to add one other Tremendous Bowl trophy to the “lonely” Lombardi within the staff’s showcase, was lowered to a much less formidable objective Sunday after falling to 3-8.
One that does not contain a trophy.
“I am in my twentieth 12 months,” Rodgers stated quietly after a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. “I discovered a method to do that for a very long time. You must keep in mind why you fell in love with this sport.”
Rodgers was explaining how he’ll hold himself motivated over the ultimate six video games — maybe the final six video games of his legendary profession. His bravado has been muted by a staff that finds new methods to lose week after week and by a franchise on the verge of lacking the playoffs for the 14th straight season.
His two-year tally with the Jets: One torn Achilles and solely three wins.
On Sunday, the Jets overcame a 13-0 deficit, took a 27-22 lead late within the fourth quarter and proceeded to soften down on protection within the last two minutes. They allowed Anthony Richardson to go 70 yards on six performs for the successful landing with 46 seconds left — a 4-yard run by the second-year quarterback.
Rodgers, outplayed by Richardson, delivered one more mediocre efficiency. He accomplished 22 of 29 passes, together with two touchdowns, however he managed solely 184 yards — his second straight sport underneath 200. Afterward, Rodgers refused to make use of the phrase “shocked” to explain the staff’s plight.
“That is a buzzword, so I am not going to the touch that response to what you simply stated,” he stated to a reporter. “I am simply going to echo that I am disenchanted.”
The four-time MVP additionally appeared sad by a minimum of one teaching determination. After taking a 23-16 lead with 13:03 left within the fourth quarter on a brief landing catch by tight finish Kenny Yeboah, Rodgers wished to go for 2. He motioned “two” to the sideline. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich opted for the additional level, which gave them an eight-point benefit.
Rodgers stated he was “underneath the impression” they’d go for 2 as a result of it was determined earlier than the drive on the sideline.
“One thing modified within the meantime,” he stated. ” … So I had assumed two and seemed over and could not actually inform. [It] seemed like they have been holding up one. I used to be somewhat confused as a result of I believed we had talked about going for 2.”
Later, Ulbrich made one other questionable determination. He opted for a 35-yard area objective try as a substitute of going for the kill shot on a fourth-and-2 from the Colts’ 17-yard line with 2:41 to play.
Rodgers, who handed Corridor of Fame quarterback Dan Marino to maneuver into eighth place on the NFL’s all-time passing yardage listing, wished to go for it.
“Yeah, however, I imply, Brick felt good about Anders [Carlson] kicking it and the protection stopping it,” he stated. “However, yeah, in fact [I wanted to go for it]. I felt like we wanted to get to 30 simply to be within the sport. Now, clearly, the way in which we performed, nonetheless wanted to get to 30 to win.
“However, yeah, if we have been a terrific staff, we might have scored seven there.”
The Jets, losers of seven of their previous eight, aren’t a terrific staff. A terrific staff does not begin the sport with no first down on its first 5 possessions.
Ulbrich, now 1-5 since changing the fired Robert Saleh, second-guessed himself for taking the sector objective.
“I used to be assured the protection was going to get the cease, that is why I opted to kick the sector objective there and never go for it,” Ulbrich stated. “In hindsight, I in all probability ought to have gone for it.”
The protection has given up 26 factors per sport since Ulbrich changed Saleh.
As soon as the hallmark of the staff, the unit imploded in crunch time. Richardson, who started the day as a 44% passer, went 3-for-3 for 60 yards on the successful drive, together with a 39-yard strike to a wide-open Alec Pierce. He discovered a gentle spot in a zone between cornerback Sauce Gardner and security Jalen Mills.
“Finally, that final drive was simply very demoralizing and simply wasn’t our normal,” cornerback D.J. Reed stated.
Rodgers received the ball again with 45 seconds left, no timeouts remaining. This was the fourth time he had probability to drag a victory on their last possession, the way in which he has accomplished so many instances in his profession. However the fourth time, there was no magic.
It was an unsightly end. The final three performs: a fumble by Rodgers for a lack of 11; a brief completion; a sack to finish the sport.
Ulbrich, who normally glows about Rodgers, supplied no superlatives on at the present time.
“I do know Aaron would like to be taking part in higher, but it surely’s not simply him,” the coach stated. “It is all of us.”
“Fairly dangerous play,” Rodgers stated of his fumble.
Fairly dangerous season.
