Jets Struggle Continues as Rodgers Battles Turbulent Season
The New York Jets are limping through the 2024 NFL season with a disappointing 3-7 record after their first 10 games, a decline characterized by inconsistent performances and lingering struggles. The recent Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals only served to underscore the team's troubles, resulting in a crushing 31-6 defeat that marked their worst loss of the season. The problems extend across both sides of the ball, with an underperforming offense and a porous defense contributing to the recent loss and the broader season woes.
The offense managed a mere 207 yards against the Cardinals, the lowest they have achieved in any game this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled significantly, throwing for only 151 yards, marking his lowest passing yardage of the season. Additionally, his 4.3 yards per pass attempt was the third-fewest of his illustrious career when measured under the parameter of a minimum 15 pass attempts.
Offensive Struggles and Adams’ Quiet Night
Adding to the offensive concerns, wide receiver Davante Adams, one of the prominent targets in the lineup, was limited to just 31 receiving yards despite 13 targets. His performance was uncharacteristically muted, recording his fewest receiving yards in any of his 44 career games where he had at least 12 targets. This disconnect between Rodgers and Adams symbolizes a broader issue within the Jets’ offensive unit, which remains the only team in the NFL that hasn't scored at least 25 points in any game this season.
Rodgers expressed a degree of self-reflection yet determination amid the mounting criticism. On whether the continuous negative feedback is taking a toll, Rodgers commented, "Not really, not for the negative, no. Not really." Despite the struggles and speculation surrounding his future, he affirmed his commitment, stating, "I think so, yeah," when asked if he still wants to play in the 2025 season.
Defensive Woes
The anatomy of the defeat against the Cardinals also saw the Jets’ defense buckle, allowing 7.1 yards per play— the most they have conceded in a game this season. The Cardinals rolled through the Jets' defense for 28 first downs, highlighting issues that have cropped up repeatedly over the season. Defensive lapses have left the Jets scrambling for solutions as they try to recuperate further down the line. These defensive flaws were partially to blame for the Jets’ standing as two games behind the Denver Broncos for the AFC's seventh playoff spot.
Rodgers’ Historical Low and Team Metrics
Sailing through a season marked by struggles isn't new territory for Rodgers, but 2024 is proving to be one of the most challenging. This season, he has posted career lows across various metrics through the first 10 games. The Jets have a scoring average of just 17 points per game and Rodgers has managed only 6.4 passing yards per attempt, with an average of 225.8 passing yards per game. His current passer rating stands at 86.8, all figures that account for his worst start in a season given these metrics.
In the domain of expected points, the Jets have a negative expected points added per play, currently sitting at -0.07, reflecting the overarching struggles in achieving offensive fluidity and defensive rigidity.
Navigating the Turbulent Waters
The New York Jets find themselves embedded in a season rife with obstacles. The team's inability to consistently succeed on either side of the ball hints at deeper challenges that need addressing to conjure any chance of a late-season turnaround. For Aaron Rodgers, overcoming an Achilles tear from 2023 and fighting the tide of adversity presents a formidable challenge. Yet, the statement of intent to continue into the next season suggests that there’s a personal and professional drive to remedy this year's difficulties.
As speculation swirls and setbacks mount, both Rodgers and the Jets, including fans and management, must take stock of their current reality and chart a course that not only addresses immediate concerns but lays a stronger foundation for future success.