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 showed they’re not ready to handle success.
They couldn’t even handle the Broncos on a sloppy, rainy Sunday inside MetLife Stadium.
The Jets’ two game-winning streak came to an end with a 10-9 loss to Denver. This was a struggle for both teams, but the Broncos did just enough to win.
Greg Zuerlein, who accounted for all of the Jets’ scoring, missed a 50-yard field goal wide right in the final minute. The Broncos took over and rookie quarterback Bo Nix got in victory formation.
Aaron Rodgers said earlier in the week that the Jets (2-2) have to learn how to handle success. It was an ugly performance by them. They were penalized 13 times for 90 yards and couldn’t get in the end zone.
Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards. Breece Hall had a quiet day. He rushed 10 times for 4 yards and had two penalties. Garrett Wilson caught five passes for 41 yards and lost a fumble.
Nix, who threw for minus-7 yards in the first half, finished 12-for-25 for 60 yards and his first passing touchdown — an 8-yard connection to Courtland Sutton who was open in the back of the end zone.
Trailing by one, Rodgers got the ball on the Jets’ 40 with 1:27 to go. On first down, he completed a pass to Hall for 9 yards on first down. Then a pass interference gave the Jets the ball at Denver’s 36. They got to the 32, but Rodgers’ pass on third down was incomplete. The normally reliable Zuerlein couldn’t convert the potential game-winning attempt.
The Broncos went ahead 7-6 on the 8-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Sutton with 3:08 remaining in the third. 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. Zuerlein kicked a 40-yard field goal with 13:34 left in the game after a Jets’ drive stalled just outside of the red zone. Hall had a drop on second down from Denver’s 24.
The Broncos retook the lead, 10-9, on a Will Lutz 47-yard field goal on the ensuing series. The Jets had trouble stopping the run. Javonte Williams had runs of 9, 9 and 16 yards on the drive. But when the Jets needed a stop on third-and-4 they stuffed Williams for no gain.
On the Jets’ next possession, they got a couple of first downs, but the series ended with Rodgers getting sacked near midfield.
Rodgers got the ball back quickly as the defense forced a three-and-out.
The offense got the ball at the Jets’ 33 with 2:31 left. They got a first down at the 45, but the drive stalled there. Rodgers threw three straight incomplete passes and appeared frustrated with his receivers. On fourth down, safety P.J. Locke went unblocked and sacked Rodgers for a 10-yard loss with 1:46 left.
The Broncos took over on the Jets’ 35. They played for a field goal and Lutz missed a 50-yard try with 1:27 left, giving the Jets one last chance.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
More Jets
