The score was 40-0. Buffalo had dominated New York in every sense of the word: offense, defense, special teams, body language, camaraderie. They were probably breathing superior air at that time. Finally, after another three-and-out to start the fourth quarter, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich benched Aaron Rodgers. This should have happened much sooner.
Substitute Tyrod Taylor stepped in and immediately led an effective attack. The 15-play drive culminated with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, placed in a position that screamed: I trust you. Wilson fell to the ground while catching the ball and stayed there for a few more seconds. Whether it was cathartic or Wilson was just happy to score the Jets’ first points of the day, the mood had changed.
During the final 13 minutes of the game, Rodgers was deservedly on the bench and everything seemed lighter for the Jets. The 41-year-old ubiquitous quarterback had a day that can only be described as a shit show. Some weak points:
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Two interceptions, including one perfectly illustrating the loss of Rodgers’ arm
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Sacked in the end zone for a safety
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Giving up pursuit recovered by Matt Milano at home
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A late hit penalty (really)
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Throwing too many short- and mid-range passes that land at his receivers’ feet, then openly blaming them for the incompletions
Rodgers’ biggest accomplishment on Sunday was surpassing Tom Brady’s record for the most sacked quarterback of all time. Yes, it’s a blow to his current offensive line, an ability to release the ball quickly knowing that the tackles are reinforcements and the fact that he no longer has any agility. This is at least a testament to its longevity.
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Yet this half-full view of the record does nothing for his teammates or Jets fans because they have the worst version of him. Early Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Wilson would request a trade if the Jets retained Rodgers. Rapoport claims Wilson and Rodgers never found “common ground” after their training camp altercation.
Rodgers being anointed the messiah and then skipping mandatory minicamp to go to Egypt isn’t the best way to develop chemistry with one of the league’s most promising young players.
Wilson was able to post his third 1,000-yard season in three years, but much of that was due to his clear role as WR1 before the Jets brought in Davante Adams in Week 7. Before the Finish Of Adams, Wilson was the fourth-most targeted player in the league. As of week 7, he is tied for 17th. Target stocks continue to fall as the weeks pass. This has nothing to do with Wilson’s dizzying ability, it’s that the Jets handed the franchise over to Rodgers. In addition to bringing in his guys like Adams and Allen Lazard, he chose his offensive coordinator buddy Nathaniel Hackett. Despite constant failure on offense, Robert Saleh took the fall after a 2-3 start. Hackett stayed and the Jets have won only two games since.
All the while, Rodgers has complained about everything from members of the Jets media to his own teammates. Not to mention the hordes of controversies off the field, particularly about not believing in vaccinations. Even if the Jets won a little more, is that the type of leader you want. A 41-year-old quarterback recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Wilson deserves better. Sauce Gardner deserves better. All of the Jets’ young players deserve better.
The Jets need to move on from Rodgers. The decision comes quickly. With the end of Week 18 will mark the start of the interview process for a permanent head coach. It’s inconceivable that a high-end prospect like Lions CO Ben Johnson would want to be part of the Aaron Rodgers experiment. Or anyone for that matter. This will obviously be a major topic of discussion.
The Jets culture was rotten before Rodgers and will be rotten after. There’s a reason players like Sam Darnold found success elsewhere after being horrible in New York. The owner Woody Johnson is a disgrace. He would have sent Saleh back to conversation that lasted about 30 seconds. According to an explosive report from The Athletic, Johnson also opted not to trade for star Jerry Jeudy. due to his Madden rating. Imagine a roster with Jeudy and Wilson as co-WR1s.
But the NFL is the league of hope. This is why we care so deeply about every move and why some want our rebuilding teams to be especially bad to get better draft positions. There is always the possibility of turning things around.
After the Jets’ embarrassing 40-14 loss to the Bills, Wilson, a fierce competitor hungry for a winning season, expressed his own version of hope.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s going to make those good times even sweeter because we’ve been through things like this.”
For Wilson, the good times can only begin when and if the Jets send Rodgers packing.
MVP of the week
Sam Darnold, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings. Before the highly anticipated Minnesota-Green Bay game, Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon was requested by ESPN on the challenge of facing Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Nixon’s response? “I don’t really think it’s a challenge.”
Make no mistake because Darnold lit up Nixon and the Packers defense. Darnold’s line was 377 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. More importantly, the Vikes earned a 27-25 victory to set up a Week 18 battle against Detroit to decide the no. 1 seed in NFC.
Sunday was another step in the Sam Darnold story where perseverance paid off – starting with the right system under Kevin O’Connell. Against Green Bay, Darnold once again had ice in his veins. His pocket consciousness was visible everywhere, especially on this touchdown throw to Jordan Addison in the third quarter. Darnold is also a goldfish with the crucial trait of having a short-term memory. After throwing the interception, he was 5-for-5 with a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Vikings 14-2 led by Darnold East one of the most notable storylines of this season. It was assumed that Darnold had signed for one year, but it was unclear how the Vikings could let him go. It’s safe to say his teammates would love for him to stay in Minnesota.
Video of the week
Midway through the second quarter, Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett put on a mesmerizing display of defying the laws of gravity.
We never received an official ruling as the incompletion/fumble/whatever turned into a positive play when Cowboys corner Andrew Booth was flagged for incompletion. Moments later, the same stumbling and clumsy Pickett capped the ride with this beauty to Devonta Smith:
The score gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead and, to put it mildly, they never looked back. Saquon Barkley took the reins and continued his historic pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. His 167 yards put Barkley over 2,000 for the season. He’ll need 101 yards next week to eclipse Dickerson. The game against the Giants, Barkley’s former team, will be meaningless from a team perspective. With Dallas’ 41-7 darling, the Eagles clinched the NFC East and a home playoff game, locking themselves into the No. 2 seed. In what could be an off week for many starters, it would be fascinating if Nick Sirianni let Barkley go for it. Regardless, he deserves to stay nestled in the MVP conversation.
Statistic of the week
Six points. It’s a holiday fantasy football championship week miracle! Trey McBride scored his first touchdown of the season. Not only did this happen in the middle of a prolific season with McBride’s first score coming after 98 receptions, a new NFL record.
Overall, McBride had a monster statistical night in a 13-9 loss to the Rams. In addition to the touchdown, he had 12 catches for 123 yards. But McBride’s night ended on a somber note as a potential game-winning semi-catch ball in the end zone with 42 seconds left was deflected off his head and landed in the arms of the Rams corner Ahkello Witherspoon. If Kyler Murray had floated the ball with touch instead of shooting it through traffic, McBride’s second score of the game (and season!) would have been much more likely.
Elsewhere in the league
• Didn’t the Giants know they were supposed to lose? Drew Lock tore up the memo and threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns in New York’s 45-33 win over the Colts. Lock scored a fifth score. New York’s performance knocked the Colts out of the playoffs, put Malik Nabers back on the map and maybe – just maybe – saved Brian Daboll’s job. But the likelihood of New York landing the first pick in the draft is much slimmer; it now belongs to New England, who will face Buffalo in Week 18.
• The 8-8 Bengals still have a slim chance of making the playoffs after a 30-24 overtime win over Denver that was both awkward and thrilling. The Bengals had a chance to win late in the fourth, but poor time management gave Denver enough time to tie the game. In overtime, after both teams punted, Bengals kicker Cade York made a 33-yard field goal, but Joe Burrow saved it with a score from Tee Higgins with 1:10 left in overtime . Here is the Week 18 scenario for Cincinnati to make the tournament: PIT loss + DEN loss + MIA loss.
• Here’s a ridiculous theory floating around the web: Will the Chiefs, who have a home-field advantage, try to eliminate the Broncos? Or will they let Denver win to avoid a playoff matchup with Cincy?
• Raiders tight end Brock Bowers broke Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. Bowers now stands at 1,105 and counting. The fact that he’s been such a force in the middle of the Raiders’ quarterback carousel makes the feat even more impressive.
• After Miami’s impressive 20-3 loss to the Browns, the Dolphins will enter the playoffs with a Week 18 win over the Jets and a loss in Denver to the Chiefs. The Broncos simply have to win.
