Aaron Rodgers, Jets come down to earth with loss to Broncos
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) takes down New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first half of the Denver Broncos at the NY Jets on September 29, 2024. Credit: Lee S. Weissman/Lee S. Weissman
The Jets did not give Zach Wilson a tribute video in his return to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but their offense’s performance looked very similar to when he was their quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to change that, but he couldn’t lead the Jets to the win on a day when they looked so much like last year.
The defense locked down Denver, but the Jets’ offense couldn’t protect their quarterback, committed many costly penalties and couldn’t get in the end zone in a 10-9 loss on a sloppy, rainy afternoon.
They needed Greg Zuerlein to account for their scoring. He got them nine points, but he missed a 50-yard field goal wide right with 47 seconds left, and the Jets’ winning streak ended at two games.
“It’s unacceptable for us to lose this game,” receiver Allen Lazard said. “Any time our defense is able to hold any team to 10 points, we’ve got to be able to put up well more than that.”
Sounds a lot like last year, which was ironic considering Wilson, who was traded to Denver in the offseason, was in the building.
“When your defense holds them to 10, you’ve got to win the game 100% of the time,” Rodgers said. “That’s on the offense. That’s on me. Not good enough.”
The Jets (2-2) did a poor job of protecting Rodgers. He was sacked five times and hit a total of 14 times. Late in the game, he got up slowly after a couple of hits and was looked at by trainers.
Rodgers said he’s “banged up” but “OK.” The Jets — who will face Sam Darnold, their former quarterback, and the 4-0 Vikings in London next week — have to hope that’s true. Their season hinges upon it.
“I got some stuff in both legs,” he said. “Get in the hot tub a little bit.”
Rodgers said this past week that the Jets have to learn to handle success, particularly after they were praised for their modest winning streak. This was an ugly performance.
They held Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix to 60 yards passing — he had minus-7 at halftime — and still lost. The Jets were penalized 13 times for 90 yards and had two penalties declined. They had a first-and-goal situation in the first half and couldn’t punch it in.
“Our focus just wasn’t as sharp as it’s been the first three weeks,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards and definitely was off on some of his throws. It also was evident that he and his receivers were not on the same page on some critical plays.
“We were kind of killing ourselves,” Rodgers said. “You can’t say I had a spectacular game. I missed some throws. The weather sucked, but so did some of my throws.”
Breece Hall had a quiet day, rushing 10 times for 4 yards and committing two false-start penalties. Garrett Wilson caught five passes for 41 yards and lost a fumble.
“We played terrible,” Wilson said. “When you play terrible, you deserve to lose.”
The Jets’ best chance to score a touchdown came in the first half after Riley Moss was flagged for pass interference on Lazard in the end zone. They had a first-and-goal from the 1 but had to settle for a 3-0 lead on Zuerlein’s 23-yard field goal.
Hall was stopped for no gain on first and second down. Rodgers scrambled right and threw it away on third down. The Jets lined up to go for it on fourth down, but a false start by left guard John Simpson pushed them back 5 yards.
Zuerlein added a 35-yarder for a 6-0 halftime lead, but the Broncos went ahead 7-6 on Nix’s 8-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Courtland Sutton with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter. Two defensive penalties helped Denver’s scoring drive, including a 14-yard pass interference on Michael Carter II.
The Jets regained the lead on their next possession on Zuerlein’s 40-yard field goal with 13:34 left. That series featured an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty by Lazard in the red zone and a drop by Hall on second down from Denver’s 24.
The Broncos went ahead on Will Lutz’s 47-yard field goal with 8:55 left.
The Jets had the ball near midfield with about two minutes remaining, but Rodgers threw three straight incomplete passes. He looked frustrated after Wilson and Xavier Gipson weren’t looking for the ball on the last two.
“We weren’t on the same page,” Rodgers said.
On fourth down, safety P.J. Locke went unblocked and sacked Rodgers with 1:46 left. Denver took over at the Jets’ 35 and played for a field goal, but Lutz missed a 50-yard try with 1:27 left, giving the Jets one last chance.
The final drive started at the Jets’ 40. Moss’ pass interference on Mike Williams gave the Jets the ball at Denver’s 36. The Jets got to the 34, but Rodgers’ pass on third down was incomplete, and the usually reliable Zuerlein couldn’t convert the potential game-winning attempt.
“We had our opportunities,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “First-and-goal from the 1, we’ve got to be able to put it in. Didn’t. Had the ball twice with a chance to win, didn’t. When it’s sloppy outside, you’ve got to be detailed. Too many self-inflicted wounds.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
