Wealthy Cimini, ESPN Employees Author
PITTSBURGH — Two scenes within the New York Jets’ postgame locker room informed the story of their 37-15 loss Sunday evening to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Newly-acquired huge receiver Davante Adams, surrounded by reporters, appeared incredulous that an offense with a lot expertise managed solely two touchdowns and was shut out within the second half.
“That is virtually what pisses you off much more, realizing that you have these sort of weapons and to come back up brief …” he stated.
As Adams spoke, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and huge receiver Garrett Wilson — within the far nook of the room — embraced for a number of seconds. It was a comfort hug. Wilson blamed himself for the Jets’ fourth straight loss, saying his third-quarter drop — intercepted by nickel again Beanie Bishop Jr. — was the turning level.
It was that sort of evening for the Jets (2-5): Emotional, irritating and bitterly disappointing. They’re 0-2 beneath interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who changed the fired Robert Saleh.
Adams’ highly-anticipated Jets debut, and his reunion with Rodgers, produced a few early glints, however no fireworks. It was a tough evening for Rodgers (two interceptions) and his two star receivers, as Adams and Wilson mixed for less than eight receptions and 91 yards on 18 targets.
“I’ve to play higher,” stated Rodgers, who has 5 interceptions within the final three video games. “That is the important thing, I’ve to play higher. We have now to discover a approach to run the ball higher so we will play-action go.”
The Jets performed effectively for the primary 20 minutes, leaping to a 15-6 lead on Rodgers’ 1-yard scoring go to tight finish Tyler Conklin. After that, the offense disappeared. Simply earlier than halftime, Rodgers threw into site visitors over the center to Wilson and it was picked off by Bishop.
“A s—– interception,” Rodgers referred to as it, taking the blame.
It was a momentum changer; the Steelers transformed the turnover right into a landing to make it 15-13 at halftime. Rodgers stated there was no vitality at halftime — or earlier than the sport, for that matter, a moderately beautiful admission.
“It felt just like the vitality — and it begins with me — the vitality, for no matter purpose at halftime, was a little bit flat,” Rodgers stated. “It felt prefer it was flat earlier than the sport too … So I have a look at myself and what I can do to deliver higher vitality, however all of us need to do higher.”
Rodgers added: “I imply, Sunday Night time Soccer on NBC, the one present on TV. I stay for these video games and I simply do not fairly perceive why the vitality was a little bit bit flat.”
The Adams acquisition was supposed to offer a spark and provoke the offense. He was focused on the primary play and the throw was huge, off his arms — a harbinger for the evening. Adams performed 53 of 55 snaps on offense, but managed solely three catches for 30 yards on 9 targets.
Adams, who missed his final three video games with the Las Vegas Raiders resulting from a hamstring harm, stated there was no rust between him and Rodgers. He chalked up the non-productive evening to recreation circumstances. He expressed optimism concerning the potential of the offense.
“I am fired up, man,” he stated. “I am in a nasty temper — we misplaced the sport — … however I am nonetheless fired up about what this soccer crew can do. There’s loads of expertise. I imply, the offense that we have now, the weapons that we have now, once I’m within the huddle at present a number of occasions I am simply trying round (on the expertise) and it is form of loopy.”
Rodgers, who seemed to be hindered by a left hamstring harm, accomplished 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards. He struggled to get the ball to his wideouts, as he accomplished solely 13 of 25 makes an attempt. He additionally appeared hesitant to throw downfield; he did not throw a go longer than 19 yards. His handiest play was dumping it off to operating again Breece Corridor, who had six catches for 103 yards.
On their second possession of the second half, Rodgers regarded for Wilson once more — a superb ball, nevertheless it bounced off him proper to Bishop. He returned it to the 1-yard line, establishing one other landing.
“I am fired up, man. I am in a nasty temper — we misplaced the sport — … however I am nonetheless fired up about what this soccer crew can do. There’s loads of expertise. I imply, the offense that we have now, the weapons that we have now, once I’m within the huddle at present a number of occasions I am simply trying round (on the expertise) and it is form of loopy.”
Jets WR Davante Adams
“I bought to catch the rattling ball,” Wilson stated. “I am enjoying like s— proper now. Obtained to repair it. I do not take calmly. That was the rationale we misplaced the sport on the finish of the day. (That) s— cannot occur. Cannot occur. It is a horrible play.
“It is like a end result of me getting unhealthy habits, not attacking the ball within the recreation and, impulsively, I bought to repair it. I’ve bought good arms. I’ve bought to go use my arms and catch the rattling ball.”
The Jets, who started the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations, journey to the New England Patriots (1-6) in a digital must-win. One other loss and so they could possibly be toast by Halloween.
“That recreation, particularly that second half, that is not who this crew is,” Ulbrich stated. “It isn’t ok and that begins with me and the teaching employees. We are able to all give extra and we’ll give extra. We have now what we’d like. That is not who we’re. Extraordinarily dissatisfied.”
