Richardson Runs Circles Around Jets
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
By Shara Talia Taylor
Rodgers sacked three times in loss
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
It was a heartbreaking 28-27 loss for the New York Jets, who fell to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon at Metlife Stadium after quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked twice in their last possession.
The Jets made a comeback from a 13-0 deficit to start the game, as kicker Anders Carlson made two field goals, including one for 58 yards, and Rodgers found success connecting with tight end Kenny Yeboah and running back Breece Hall. A touchdown instead of a field goal could have helped the Jets win, but New York went for three points and Indianapolis followed it up with a touchdown leaving only 46 seconds in the game for Rodgers to work.
“I was confident that the defense was going to get the stop—that’s why I opted to kick the field goal there and not go for it, but in hindsight—I probably should have gone for it cuz we didn’t stop ’em, obviously,” said Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
New York trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter and 13-0 in the second quarter. Rodgers completed a short pass to Hall for 29-yards for a touchdown with about 48 seconds remained in the quarter. The Jets trailed 13- 7 at halftime.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back after being benched the previous two games) was sacked and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw forced a fumble in the third quarter to set the stage for New York’s next touchdown. Rodgers handed off the ball to Hall who ran 18-yards for a touchdown. Carlson kicked the 58-yard field goal with about 3:00 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Jets led 17-16 to start the fourth quarter. Rodgers found Yeboah for a touchdown. New York converted a field goal with about 2:44 minutes remaining in the game as the team went up by five. However, the Colts scored a touchdown (Richardson runs from 2-yards out) and the Jets had no timeouts remaining when the score was 28-27 on their last possession when Rodgers was sacked and time ran out.
Rodgers completed 22 of 29 passes for 184 yards. Richardson completed 20 of 30 passes for 272 yards. “It was execution, I missed a couple of throws, we had a couple of MAs (missed assignments),” Rodgers said about the slow start scoring.
Defense also came alive later in the game as they recorded a forced fumble and two sacks, both by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams after half time.
The team fell to 3-8
“Angry, frustrated, not in a good place from that standpoint,” Coach Ulbrich said about how the team is feeling. “Obviously guys are working their butts off, but obviously there’s an element that something is missing.”
Yet, Rodgers remains motivated. “I’m in my 20th year,” he said. “I’ve figured out a way to do this for a long time. You have to remember why you fell in love with this game.”
The Jets have an opportunity to rest during the upcoming bye week.
Not only did the Jets lose the game, they lost their General Manager Joe Douglas. The organization announced Tuesday that he was relieved of his GM position. In his 6 years with the Jets, he complied a 30-64. The team fired head coach Robert Saleh earlier in the year after the team fell to 2-3. Owner Woody Johnson released a statement in part saying, “Today, l informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the General Manager of the New York Jets. I want to thank Joe for his commitment over the last 6 years and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
Sports Editor Andrew Rosario contributed to this article.
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