The New York Jets are hopeless. That’s a harsh thing to say, but after Sunday’s 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, what else can you say?
The Jets weren’t expected to win against the Bills, who have been anchored by Josh Allen’s late-season MVP performances, but they were expected to put up some points. They did do that, but not until there were seven minutes left in the entire game. And it wasn’t starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers who scored the Jets’ first (or second) touchdown. It was Tyrod Taylor, who replaced Rodgers earlier in the 4th quarter.
In between the start of the game and the Jets’ first TD, it was one failed drive after another. It began with a turnover on downs after holding the ball for six minutes. Then an interception, followed by Rodgers getting sacked in the end zone for a safety. Action picked up in the second half, but not in a way that was good for the Jets. Here are the results of their possessions in the second half until Taylor scored that touchdown: punt, interception, punt, fumble, punt.
The Jets’ defense held strong in the first half, allowing just 12 points, but they fell apart in the 3rd quarter, allowing the Bills to score the bulk of their points and fully demoralize the Jets and their fans before Taylor came in. Rodgers even got an unnecessary roughness penalty for a late hit on a Bills player after throwing an interception, and was grinning about it — essentially the only thing he had to grin about all day.
What does it say about Aaron Rodgers that the Jets measurably improved the moment he left the game? A lot, considering that the Bills didn’t ease up on the gas at all. They played all four quarters, but the Jets weren’t even close to competitive until Taylor came in.
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