Although it didn’t mean anything for this current season, the New York Jets‘ Week 15 game down south will be remembered by some in the years to come. Shades of a late-season Geno Smith in Miami in the Rex Regime, Aaron Rodgers put forth a tremendous effort in the Jets’ 32-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Week 15 Final
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Davante Adams finished with a monstrous 198 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions to lead the way for New York. More specifically, his 71-yard touchdown reception with just 3:22 to go in the fourth quarter up the Jets up 25-22 (coupled with a 2-point conversion).
After a game-tying field goal from the home team, a 1-yard Breece Hall rushing touchdown served as the game-winner, with the Jets crossing the goal line with just 1:05 to go in regulation.
With Mac Jones seeking a game-tying touchdown late in the game, Sauce Gardner sealed it with an easy pick.
Hall’s game-winner was set up by one of Adams’s many big plays. Faced with a third-and-5 situation just across midfield, Adams found himself all alone after running a shallow cross while Rodgers scampered and flushed a bit to his right.
Davante nearly crossed the goal line for the third time in the game.
Of course, what’s a Jets game (even a victory) without coaching controversy? For some out-of-this-world reason, head coach Jeff Ulbrich allowed his team to score on first down—in a situation that called for a conservative approach.
Doug Pederson’s Jags had just two timeouts remaining, so three rushing plays would have given New York the go-ahead field goal while also pitting the Jags deep in their own end (after the ensuing kickoff) with around or just under 20 seconds left and no timeouts.
Instead, Breece scored on first down, and Ulbrich’s squad kicked off to Jacksonville with its two timeouts and 1:05 remaining in regulation. Obviously, Sauce’s interception sealed things, but the time management issue certainly warrants discussion and/or criticism.
Sure, mentality is a big deal in football; but at this level, in this league, in this situation, with this quarterback (Rodgers), three rushes and a field goal is the only strategy. If the Jags had all three timeouts, there’s no issue: Score as soon as possible. With one or zero timeouts, there’s also no issue: Take a few kneel-downs and kick the game-winner with no time remaining.
Granted, two timeouts in that situation make it at least somewhat of a conversation, but today’s gun-slinging NFL throws the kitchen sink at defenses, which means time management is nothing comparable to your grandfather’s (or even father’s) league where they play for pay.
In any event, the Jets victory puts them at 4-10 on the season. Rodgers finished with 289 yards and three touchdowns (to zero interceptions) on 16 of 30 passing. Although it wasn’t the most efficient day from the pocket, the 41-year-old quarterback showcased reasonable mobility and plenty of grit.
Third-year wide receiver Garrett Wilson snagged the other Rodgers touchdowns, as he went for 56 yards and that score on 3 receptions. The Ohio State product got the party started with a 22-yard touchdown reception that knotted the game at seven in the first quarter.
At one point, Wilson was spotted in a heated moment on the sideline, after a failed third-down conversion. But at the end of the day, the dynamic duo of him and Adams continues to produce incredible results.
The Rodgers-to-Adams connection threw it back to the old days at times, as the first of the duo’s two scores came on a vintage goal-line fade.
There isn’t too much to brag about when thinking about New York’s defense. Jacksonville capped a methodical 13-play, 70-yard drive that ate up the game’s first 6:23 with a 3-yard Brian Thomas Jr. touchdown.
Granted, in a near-goal-line situation, the Jets were caught in a bad matchup (safety Chuck Clark on the explosive weapon), yet the defensive positives were tough to come by all afternoon.
Jalen Mills picked off Mac Jones in a third-and-14 situation, which ended the Jags’ second drive of the game.
Elsewhere, Solomon Thomas and Javon Kinlaw registered a sack apiece, whereas MIKE Jamien Sherwood led the team with 9 total tackles (6 solo).
Despite the victory, the Jets found themselves trailing for much of the game. A major problem came in the time-of-possession department, which Jacksonville took decisively (34:24 to 25:36). The main culprit for the disparity was the lack of a Jets’ rushing attack.
Ulbrich’s team finished with a sparkling 5.4 yards per rush in the game, but that’s as misleading a stat as could ever be produced. Rodgers led the team in rushing with 45 yards on 6 carries, which greatly spiked the average.
Hall, who scored the game-winner, had a tough time all day, collecting just 30 yards on 9 attempts (3.3 YPC). Worse yet, he popped one for 18 yards.
Isaiah Davis added 24 yards on 5 carries, while Braelon Allen chipped in with just 5 yards on 2 totes.
Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was the star of the day for the home team. The LSU product made fantasy owners extremely happy (or angry) in their Round 1 playoff game by snagging 105 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 grabs.
Along with the touchdown that opened the scoring, Thomas Jr. stung New York with a 19-yarder that put his team back on top early in the fourth quarter.
Former AFC East foe Mac Jones produced mixed results. He did go for 294 yards and 2 scores on an efficient 31 of 46 passing, but he also threw those two interceptions.
Travis Etienne Jr. finished with a team-high 65 yards on just 13 carries. In fact, the Jets should feel a bit fortunate that the Jags didn’t stick to the rushing attack more in this one.
Although Anders Carlson missed an easy one in this game, he did hit a 43-yard field goal and was a perfect 3-3 in the extra point department.
The other special teams’ play of note was a timely Ashtyn Davis fake punt that went off the right edge and a first down.
Kudos to Ulbrich and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, as the play was key in that it ultimately led to the Garrett Wilson touchdown.
The 4-10 New York Jets remain third in the AFC East and now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Rams. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium this coming Sunday, Dec. 22.
