The New York Jets are becoming synonymous with disappointment, as they lost to the Indianapolis Colts by 28–27 on Sunday. Chaos is at a new level in the Big Apple as the Jets squandered a five-point lead with less than three minutes left.
They gifted second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson his breakout moment, who engineered a flawless game-winning drive. With the defeat, the Jets drop to 3-8 on the season, a record that has frustrated analysts beyond words.
Radio Host Mike Francesa Furious With Latest Jets Display
Legendary New York radio host Mike Francesa was harsh in his critique of the Jets. “Give me a break, this is a clown show… What do you mean, ‘good time for a bye?’ How about a good time for bye-bye?” Francesa vented on his podcast.
He called out interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and the Jets’ supposed attempt to establish a running game. “’We’ll take a hard look.’ Take a hard look at what? Take a hard look at the want ads because you’re not going to be here next year. [Ulbrich] is so clueless. When I see him at halftime, it’s laughable.”
He had tough words for players like Breece Hall, who, despite flashes of brilliance, finished with just 78 yards as the Jets’ ground attack once again fizzled.
“The running game going? You had 27 yards rushing in the first half. When did you get the running game going in the first half?”
Aaron Rodgers, brought in to be the savior of this franchise, completed 22 of 29 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. But it was not enough to secure the win, as Richardson stole the show with 272 passing yards and three total touchdowns.
Sauce Gardner, expected to be a cornerstone of the defense, proved to be a weak spot. He gave Alec Pierce a crucial 39-yard catch during the Colts’ decisive drive.
“Again, Sauce Gardner is a huge culprit. I mean, what is he doing? When does he stop the nonsense and make a play? He hangs a safety net to drive there. He gets beat on a pump fake, leading to a 39-yard gain.”
This loss reignited debate over the Jets’ ill-fated decision to part ways with Robert Saleh earlier in the season. Under Saleh, the defense was among the league’s best, but since his firing, the unit has regressed, allowing 1,805 yards and 13 touchdowns in six games.
As for Rodgers, his once-bright New York chapter is dimming rapidly. Four games under 200 passing yards this season and a lack of postseason prospects have many questioning whether it’s time for the Jets to cut ties with the veteran quarterback.
The Aaron Rodgers experiment, as Francesa bluntly put it, “didn’t work.” With fans restless and another season slipping away, the Jets find themselves at a crossroads that demands answers and, perhaps, a total reboot.