The Jets disappoint to 2-5, lose to Pittsburgh on SNF, 37-15.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers getting tackled, via Gene J. Puskar/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Where do I even begin?
The Jets fall to 2-5 on the season after an abysmal loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 37-15, on Sunday Night Football. The loss spoiled the debut of star acquisition WR Davante Adams and the news of EDGE Haason Reddick striking a deal with the Jets to report to the team on Monday. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Jets. What else is there left for this team?
The first half was incredible. The offense was rolling after RB Breece Hall returned to his 2023 form, and QB Aaron Rodgers was connecting to his WRs. However, it all fell apart right before halftime when Rodgers threw an interception to rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr. The Steelers would capitalize off the turnover and score a touchdown before the half ended, Jets 15-13. The Jets came out flat in the second half, and all the momentum disappeared. Steelers QB Russell Wilson became prime Seahawks Wilson and had the defense running up and down the field. The Jets offense had no response, only more turnovers. Kicker Greg Zuerlein decided to join the turnover party and had his FG attempt blocked. The Steelers would end the game with their last three possessions ending in a touchdown. Even scoring in garbage time means zero respect for the Jets. Side note, prayers to Jets guard Xavier Newman. He was seen taking a nasty hit and was carted on, hope he has a speedy recovery.
The locker room will soon collapse. It is only inevitable. Rodgers looks like his best days are behind him. The best analogy I can give is he seems like a past-his-prime boxer who sees where to place the knockout punch but can't deliver the punch quick enough and instead fights, scared not to get knocked out. The check-downs to RB Breece Hall won't score a touchdown in each possession, but the wide-open receivers downfield will. And he knows that, but he can put the ball there quick enough. Is it too early to say the Aaron Rodgers experiment is over? This franchise has given him everything, and we are yet to see any improvement. If anything, we've seen regression.
In 2022, former Jets QB Zach Wilson delivered a game-winning fourth-quarter performance to defeat the Steelers in Pittsburgh. This comeback was all in his first game back from injury, where Zach Wilson led the Jets back from a two-score deficit. The Jets needed a similar performance to win on Sunday night, but Aaron Rodgers could not deliver. The Robert Saleh firing did nothing but put even more pressure on this team. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has been more of the same. It's the same mannerisms and post-game press conferences. I don't mean it as a knock on the coach, as I like Coach Ulbrich, but why fire one guy when the other guy is the same? This team is cursed by something way bigger than football, and it may be time for owner Woody Johnson to let this team go. This franchise is cursed.
However, here's a few stats for my optimists. According to ESPN analytics, the Jets still have a 47% chance at making the playoffs, which is 8th best in the AFC. It’s sad that this star studded roster will have to crawl into the playoffs. However, this still isn’t impossible. Forty-three teams have made the playoffs since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger after a 2-5 start. Thirteen of those teams won a playoff game. And only one won the Super Bowl, the 2012 Baltimore Ravens. Ironically, the Jets GM Joe Douglas was part of that team as a scout. Could history repeat itself? Every game moving forward, is a playoff game. The Jets face the New England Patriots in Foxborough at 1 pm this Sunday. They got to win this one, if not, it's time to call it quits.
