One year ago this week, the New York Jets scratched out a 13-10 overtime win over the Giants to improve to a respectable 4-3, considering they had just four season-opening snaps with Aaron Rodgers. Last Oct. 29, behind Zach Wilson – who could be changing teams this week — they extended their winning streak to three, including impressive victories over Philadelphia and Denver.
But one year later – with Rodgers available all season – they’re just 2-6 and coming off one of the worst losses they’ve ever had. Even those who cover the team in the brash New York media are depressed.
“Not good,” said Zack Rosenblatt on Monday’s edition of Scoop City with Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel. “It’s a lot of guys scrambling for answers when you talk to them after these games. It’s been the same thing over and over again for so long but the difference is the expectations were so high. Aaron Rodgers is healthy and playing, healthyish and playing. But this was as bad of a locker room as I’ve experienced in covering this team.
“The season was pretty much on the line in this game and, by every measure, they screwed it up.”
That game was a 25-22 setback at New England (2-6) on Sunday, the Jets’ fifth straight loss to transform preseason hopes into punchlines as they enter Week 9. It was also the team’s second loss since acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams. If there’s a sliver of good news, the Jets get a short week to erase sour memories of the most recent loss. They host Houston (6-2) on Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video).
“I’m very curious to see what this crowd looks like on Thursday night against the Texans,” Rosenblatt said, “and how many people show up and the kind of noises they make. It’s pretty bad right now.”
Rodgers actually had a decent game last week, connecting on 17 of 28 attempts for 233 yards and touchdowns to Tyler Conklin and Xavier Gipson. Plus, Adams caught four passes for 54 yards and, perhaps the most encouraging production with Adams now on the roster, Garrett Wilson had five receptions for 113 yards. Both players caught critical passes on the Jets’ go-ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter on Sunday.
But after Drake Maye left with a concussion, New York’s defense uncharacteristically allowed a diving 34-yard completion through three defenders from Jacoby Brissett to Kayshon Boutte – when a third-down stop likely would’ve won the game — to set up Rhamondre Stevenson’s game-winning touchdown run.
The Jets are 0-4 in October and need a win on Thursday to avoid their first five-loss month since they were 0-5 in September of 1996. They were also 0-5 in October of 1989 and November of 1975.
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