EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who arrived final yr 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 aim Sunday after falling to 3-8.
One that does not contain a trophy.
“I am in my twentieth yr,” Rodgers mentioned quietly after a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. “I found out a manner to do that for a very long time. It’s a must to keep in mind why you fell in love with this recreation.”
Rodgers was explaining how he’ll preserve 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 closing 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 yet one more mediocre efficiency. He accomplished 22 of 29 passes, together with two touchdowns, however he managed solely 184 yards — his second straight recreation below 200. Afterward, Rodgers refused to make use of the phrase “shocked” to explain the staff’s plight.
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“That is a buzzword, so I am not going to the touch that response to what you simply mentioned,” he mentioned to a reporter. “I am simply going to echo that I am upset.”
The four-time MVP additionally appeared sad by at the least 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 mentioned he was “below 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 mentioned. ” … So I had assumed two and appeared over and could not actually inform. [It] appeared like they had been holding up one. I used to be a bit 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 discipline aim try as an alternative 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 mentioned. “However, yeah, in fact [I wanted to go for it]. I felt like we would have liked to get to 30 simply to be within the recreation. Now, clearly, the best way we performed, nonetheless wanted to get to 30 to win.
“However, yeah, if we had been an incredible staff, we’d have scored seven there.”
The Jets, losers of seven of their previous eight, aren’t an incredible staff. An incredible staff would 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 sphere aim.
“I used to be assured the protection was going to get the cease, that is why I opted to kick the sphere aim there and never go for it,” Ulbrich mentioned. “In hindsight, I in all probability ought to have gone for it.”
The protection has given up 26 factors per recreation 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 delicate 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 commonplace,” cornerback D.J. Reed mentioned.
Rodgers acquired the ball again with 45 seconds left, no timeouts remaining. This was the fourth time he had probability to drag a victory on their closing possession, the best way he has accomplished so many occasions 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 often glows about Rodgers, supplied no superlatives on at the present time.
“I do know Aaron would like to be enjoying higher, however it’s not simply him,” the coach mentioned. “It is all of us.”
“Fairly unhealthy play,” Rodgers mentioned of his fumble.
Fairly unhealthy season.
