Aaron Rodgers’ phrases will not save him if Jets’ outcomes do not change

The very best play Aaron Rodgers made all day happened half-hour after he and the Jets misplaced to the Vikings, 23-17, Sunday at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

That was when Rodgers, as a real chief does, was accountable for his personal poor efficiency and resolute about his perception within the group and its head coach (a minimum of publicly). 

“You’ve simply obtained to be trustworthy together with your efficiency each single week and maintain your self to a typical,” a visibly dejected Rodgers mentioned after the sport. “Clearly, I used to be beneath my commonplace.” 

Rodgers’ accountability, in fact, was of little comfort to Jets followers. On the finish of the day, accountability doesn’t overcome a 17-0 first-half deficit. Accountability doesn’t win video games. 

So, whereas his accountability after the sport was admirable, the fact is that Rodgers didn’t make loads of constructive performs within the recreation. 

And now, one week faraway from throwing away an eminently winnable recreation at dwelling in a 10-9 loss to Denver, the Jets are teetering dangerously on being an all-out mess if the shedding continues. 

And Rodgers is on the middle of it after throwing a career-high three interceptions to the Vikings, considered one of which was returned for a landing. 

Mark this down as Rodgers’ worst non-injury second in a Jets uniform. And in the event you’re a Jets fan, you hope that it seems to be what Rodgers likes to consult with as an “outlier.” 

As a result of Rodgers was the explanation the Jets misplaced this recreation, and that’s an issue contemplating he’s the very best, most completed participant on the group. 

His 63-yard pick-six, thrown proper into the chest of linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel within the first quarter, was a backbreaker. It gave Minnesota an early 10-0 lead and represented a harmful points-swing because the Jets have been in Minnesota territory on the time, trailing 3-0 with a possible likelihood at a game-tying subject aim. 

It’s distressing sufficient that this Jets season of such huge promise stands at 2-3 getting into upcoming tough video games towards the Payments (at dwelling) and Steelers (on the street). 

However it’s much more disturbing that Sunday’s recreation represented every little thing Rodgers was delivered to the Jets for. Take into account this situation tailored for Rodgers on Sunday: 

There was 3:07 remaining in a recreation the Jets had little enterprise nonetheless being in. They trailed by six factors and had the ball on their very own 30-yard line with an opportunity to steal the sport. 

Rodgers, with 21 profession fourth-quarter comeback victories and 32 game-winning drives in his again pocket, was delivered to the Jets to thrive on this very state of affairs — put the group on his shoulders and carry it to victory. 

However this time, Rodgers regarded rather a lot just like the earlier dozen or so name-your-Jets-quarterbacks when confronted with this situation in that he didn’t get the job executed. 

The potential game-winning possession ended when, on third-and-10 from the Minnesota 26-yard line, Rodgers underthrew receiver Mike Williams inside the ten and cornerback Stephon Gilmore picked the go off to finish the Jets probabilities. 

It was Rodgers’ third interception of the sport. His second got here on the possession after the Van Ginkel decide when he overthrew Allen Lazard by about 10 toes and was picked off by Vikings defensive again Camryn Bynam. 

“I simply discovered I’ve by no means thrown two picks within the first quarter earlier than, so, that’s the primary,” Rodgers mentioned. “Considered one of them value us clearly seven [points]. In a recreation we lose by six, performs like which are exponentially highlighted. Three turnovers for me is certainly out of character and I’m disillusioned in what occurred.” 

Not even Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who often bends over backwards to reward Rodgers, may muster an oz. of positivity over the best way his quarterback carried out. 

“Clearly, up and down,” Saleh mentioned. “Sadly, that pick-six was a giant distinction within the recreation.” 

Rodgers mentioned, “I’ve obtained to deal with the soccer. You’ll be able to’t flip the ball over 3 times and win on this league.” 

Rodgers then placed on his courageous, chief face and did what he may to guide after he’d helped throw this recreation away. 

“Crucial constructive to take with us is that if we stick collectively, as a result of there’ll be lots of people outdoors the constructing gained’t be sticking with the Jets,” he mentioned. “[I] nonetheless have loads of confidence on this group. I believe it’s a group that’s going to make a run. Whether or not that run begins subsequent week, the next week or every time it is likely to be, I’m assured in our guys, I’m assured in [our] management and assured we’ll get this factor straightened out.” 

It’s early, 5 video games right into a 17-game season. 

And, with Buffalo dropping to 3-2 after Sunday’s loss in Houston and the Patriots and Dolphins compromised groups, nobody is working away from the Jets within the AFC East in the meanwhile. 

But when the Jets’ greatest participant doesn’t carry out like their greatest participant ought to, and do it quickly, all of the accountability on the planet gained’t matter a rattling bit.