For the third consecutive week, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets missed a key opportunity to win the game on their final possession, this time resulting in a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Following the defeat, Rodgers voiced his frustration, emphasizing the missed opportunity as a “giveaway” and criticizing both the team’s performance and the officiating.
The Jets, under new interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, fell to a 2-4 record, continuing their struggle with penalties and missed chances, issues that had also plagued them under former coach Robert Saleh.
Rodgers expressed particular concern about the officiating, pointing out several questionable calls, including a roughing the passer penalty on him and another on Javon Kinlaw. He also criticized a holding penalty on tackle Tyron Smith that nullified a touchdown, which would have given the Jets a lead in the third quarter.
The officiating, combined with penalties and missed opportunities, compounded the team’s frustrations, with Rodgers referencing a sarcastic comparison to a fictional game from the show “South Park” to underscore his dissatisfaction.
The Jets’ offensive struggles were evident throughout the game. Despite gaining 393 total yards under new playcaller Todd Downing, the team went just 1-for-4 in the red zone, with one of their two touchdowns coming from a 52-yard Hail Mary by Rodgers to Allen Lazard at the end of the first half. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson described the missed chances as “demoralizing,” noting that the team needs to find ways to score touchdowns to avoid the same disappointing outcomes.
Rodgers has now thrown interceptions on the Jets’ final possession in back-to-back games, resulting in close losses. This loss marked the first time in his 20-year career that he has held a losing record after six games.
In this particular game, Rodgers had a chance to lead a game-winning drive, starting from the Jets’ 30-yard line with 3:43 remaining. However, the drive ended in disappointment, with a sack and two penalties followed by an interception on a deep pass intended for Mike Williams, who suffered a head injury on the play.
Despite the ongoing struggles, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich remains optimistic about the team’s potential, emphasizing the importance of preparation and resilience. He acknowledged the disappointment but believes the Jets can turn their season around if they focus on consistency and preparation. With the team sitting at 2-4, they are at risk of falling out of playoff contention but still have time to recover if they can capitalize on their remaining games.
