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 vast 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 nearly what pisses you off much more, realizing that you have these kind of weapons and to return up quick …” he stated.
As Adams spoke, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and vast 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 kind of evening for the Jets (2-5): Emotional, irritating and bitterly disappointing. They’re 0-2 below interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who changed the fired Robert Saleh on Oct. 8.
Adams’ extremely 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 under eight receptions and 91 yards on 18 targets.
“I’ve to play higher,” stated Rodgers, who has 5 interceptions previously three video games. “That is the important thing, I’ve to play higher. We now have to discover a technique to run the ball higher so we are able to play-action cross.”
The Jets performed effectively for the primary 20 minutes, leaping to a 15-6 lead on Rodgers’ 1-yard scoring cross 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—ty 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 power at halftime — or earlier than the sport, for that matter, a fairly gorgeous admission.
“It felt just like the power — and it begins with me — the power, for no matter motive at halftime, was a bit of flat,” Rodgers stated. “It felt prefer it was flat earlier than the sport too. … So I take a look at myself and what I can do to convey higher power, however all of us need to do higher.”
Rodgers added: “I imply, ‘Sunday Evening Soccer’ on NBC, the one present on TV. I reside for these video games and I simply do not fairly perceive why the power was a bit of bit flat.”
The Adams acquisition was supposed to supply a spark and provoke the offense. He was focused on the primary play and the throw was vast, 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 previous three video games with the Las Vegas Raiders because of a hamstring damage, stated there was no rust between him and Rodgers. He chalked up the non-productive evening to sport 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 staff can do. There’s a number of expertise. I imply, the offense that we now have, the weapons that we now have, once I’m within the huddle immediately a number of occasions I am simply wanting round [at the talent] and it is type of loopy.”
Rodgers, who gave the impression to be hindered by a left hamstring damage, 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 cross 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 seemed for Wilson once more — an excellent ball, however 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 staff can do. There’s a number of expertise. I imply, the offense that we now have, the weapons that we now have, once I’m within the huddle immediately a number of occasions I am simply wanting round [at the talent] and it is type of loopy.”
Jets WR Davante Adams
“I received to catch the rattling ball,” Wilson stated. “I am taking part in like s— proper now. Received to repair it. I do not take that flippantly. That was the explanation 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 fruits of me getting dangerous habits, not attacking the ball within the sport and, impulsively, I received to repair it. I’ve received good arms. I’ve received 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 they usually might be toast by Halloween.
“That sport, particularly that second half, that is not who this staff is,” Ulbrich stated. “It is not adequate and that begins with me and the teaching workers. We will all give extra and we’ll give extra. We now have what we want. That is not who we’re. Extraordinarily disillusioned.”